An Unusual Cause of Left Brachiocephalic Vein Occlusion: Extrinsic Compression by the Aortic Arch in a Hemodialysis Patient / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

The most common cause of central venous obstruction including left braciocephalic vein is intrinsic stenosis associated with a previous central venous catheter or other devices. Occasionally, patients with no history of central venous catheterization present with left brachiocephalic vein occlusion. This occurs as a result of extrinsic compression of the brachiocephalic vein by adjacent vascular structures, especially the aortic arch and its branches. Here, we report a case of left brachiocephalic vein compression caused by a tortuous, ectatic aortic arch in a patient with no history of central vein catheterization. To our knowledge, this is the first report of extrinsic compression of the brachiocephalic vein by the aortic arch in Korea.