An Ectopic External Jugular Vein Draining into the Axillary Vein: a Rare Anatomical Variation with Clinical Implications.

OBJECTIVE: The external jugular vein drains a considerable part of the head and neck and constitutes a vessel implicated in various procedures in the cervical region. The aim of this study is to present an uncommon anatomical variation of the external jugular vein, and discuss the clinical implications of its presence. CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of an ectopic external jugular vein terminating into the axillary vein, that we came across during routine dissection of a male cadaver of Greek origin. CONCLUSION: The venous system of the external jugular vein is used during procedures for the treatment of various conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, hydrocephalus and defects of the head and neck. Hence, encountering the unpredictable course of a variant draining into the axillary vein may complicate these interventions, leading to multiple manipulations and undesirable results. Surgeons should be aware of the alternate anatomy of the venous system of the cervical region, and mindful of the possibility of encountering them.

Ultrasound based estimate of central venous pressure: Are we any closer?

Central venous pressure (CVP) serves as a direct approximation of right atrial pressure and is influenced by factors like total blood volume, venous compliance, cardiac output, and orthostasis. Normal CVP falls within 8-12 mmHg but varies with volume status and venous compliance. Monitoring and managing disturbances in CVP are vital in patients with circulatory shock or fluid disturbances. Elevated CVP can lead to fluid accumulation in the interstitial space, impairing venous return and reducing cardiac preload. While pulmonary artery catheterization and central venous catheter obtained measurements are considered to be more accurate, they carry risk of complications and their usage has not shown clinical improvement. Ultrasound-based assessment of the internal jugular vein (IJV) offers real-time, non-invasive measurement of static and dynamic parameters for estimating CVP. IJV parameters, including diameter and ratio, has demonstrated good correlation with CVP. Despite significant advancements in non-invasive CVP measurement, a reliable tool is yet to be found. Present methods can offer reasonable guidance in assessing CVP, provided their limitations are acknowledged.

A Rare Case of Internal Jugular Venous Malformation Treated by Surgical Excision.

This paper reports a case of an internal jugular venous malformation (IJVM) and route of treatment in a patient with limited symptoms. After history and imaging studies, a determination of surgical excision was made to rule out possible malignancy and future problems such as thrombosis. The mass was resected, and part of the IJVM was ligated. The mass had no identifiable malignancy, and the patient recovered fully with no complications. The paper highlights the importance of identifying venous malformations and highlights the reasoning behind the course of action.

Septic Emboli to the Brain Secondary to a Patent Foramen Ovale: A Rare Complication of Internal Jugular Vein Catheter.

The prolonged use of hemodialysis catheters is associated with several complications with infection being the most common. The increased susceptibility to infections in patients on hemodialysis can be attributed to decreased immunity, though age, other comorbidities, and properties of the catheter act as modifiers. Hematogenous spread of the infection can lead to sepsis and seeding into other organs. In this article, we report an unusual case of septic emboli to the brain in a 30-year-old male on prolonged use of a right internal jugular vein (IJV) catheter for hemodialysis. An interesting finding in the case was the presence of a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a persisting embryonic structure that allows right-to-left shunting. It is suspected that this PFO led to the passage of septic emboli from the right IJV site to the brain. Before our case, septic emboli to the brain have been reported to occur from valvular vegetation in case of infective endocarditis. The mainstay of managing patients with septic emboli is the use of antibiotics; additional interventions may be needed on a case-to-case basis.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Novel Dermatotomy Device for Central Venous Cannulation.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a novel wire-guided scalpel (Guideblade) to create a precise dermatotomy incision for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized interventional study. SETTING: Stanford University, single-center teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiac and vascular surgical patients (n = 100) with planned CVC insertion for operation. INTERVENTIONS: A wire-guided scalpel was used during CVC insertion. RESULTS: A total of 188 CVCs were performed successfully with a wire-guided scalpel without the need for additional equipment in 100 patients, and 94% of CVCs were accomplished with only a single dermatotomy attempt. "No bleeding" or "minimal bleeding" at the insertion site was observed in 90% of patients 30 minutes after insertion and 80.7% at the conclusion of surgery. CONCLUSION: The wire-guided scalpel was effective in performing dermatotomy for CVC with a 100% success rate and a very high first-attempt rate. The wire-guided scalpel may decrease bleeding at the CVC insertion site.

Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus and Treatment Options.

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) requires detailed workup to evaluate for an underlying structural cause. With advances in neuroimaging, structural venous abnormalities that can cause PT have becoming increasingly recognized. A number of anomalies, including dural arteriovenous fistulas, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, transverse sinus stenosis, sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities, jugular venous anomalies, and hypertrophied emissary veins, have been implicated in flow disruption and turbulence in the vicinity of auditory structures, resulting in PT. Endovascular treatment options, including stenting, coiling, and embolization with liquid agents, have demonstrated high efficacy and safety. These treatments can lead to symptomatic relief in carefully selected cases.

Surgical intervention of Lemierre's syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Lemierre's syndrome is a fatal and rare disease that is typically characterized by oropharyngeal infection and internal jugular vein thrombosis. Timely institution of appropriate antibiotics is the standard treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors report a case of Lemierre's syndrome. A 67-year-old male patient of Han ethnicity in China suffered from a large inflammatory neck mass involving left internal jugular vein thrombosis diagnosed as Lemierre's syndrome and finally cured by surgical treatment. In addition, a literature review was carried out through PubMed using the terms "Lemierre's syndrome/disease and review, meta-analysis or retrospective study" and "Lemierre's syndrome/disease and internal jugular vein". This search yielded six articles that recorded surgical methods such as drainage, craniotomy, tooth extraction, and ligation of the occluded vein to give clinicians more ideas about the treatment of the Lemierre's syndrome. CONCLUSION: This is the first review to summarize the conditions under which surgical treatment are conducted. Additionally, this is the first report of such a large inflammatory neck mass that was completely cured by surgical resection and internal jugular vein ligation. The authors also offer several conclusions regarding surgical intervention in Lemierre's syndrome for the first time.

Characterization of internal jugular vein region-specific distension and flow patterns during progressive volume shifting.

Blood volume shifts during postural adjustment lead to irregular distension of the internal jugular vein (IJV). In microgravity, distension may contribute to flow stasis and thromboembolism, though the regional implications and associated risk remain unexplored. We characterized regional differences in IJV volume distension and flow complexity during progressive head-down tilt (HDT) (0°, -6°, -15°, -30°) using conventional ultrasound and vector flow imaging. We also evaluated low-pressure thigh cuffs (40 mmHg) as a fluid shifting countermeasure during -6° HDT. Total IJV volume expanded 139 ± 95% from supine position (4.6 ± 2.7 mL) to -30° HDT (10.3 ± 5.0 mL). Blood flow profiles had greater vector uniformity at the cranial IJV region (P < 0.01) and became more dispersed with increasing tilt (P < 0.01). Qualitatively, flow was more uniform throughout the IJV during its early flow cycle phase and more disorganized during late flow phase. This disorganized flow was accentuated closer to the vessel wall, near the caudal region, and during greater HDT. Low-pressure thigh cuffs during -6° HDT decreased IJV volume at the cranial region (-12 ± 15%; P < 0.01) but not the caudal region (P = 0.20), although flow uniformity was unchanged (both regions, P > 0.25). We describe a distensible IJV accommodating large volume shifts along its length. Prominent flow dispersion was primarily found at the caudal region, suggesting multidirectional blood flow. Thigh cuffs appear effective for decreasing IJV volume but effects on flow complexity are minor. Flow complexity along the vessel length is likely related to IJV distension during chronic volume shifting and may be a precipitating factor for flow stasis and future thromboembolism risk.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The internal jugular vein (IJV) facilitates cerebral outflow and is sensitive to volume shifts. Concerns about IJV expansion and fluid flow behavior in astronauts have surfaced following thromboembolism reports. Our study explored regional volume distension and blood flow complexity in the IJV during progressive volume shifting. We observed stepwise volume distension and increasing flow dispersion with head-down tilting across all regions. Flow dispersion may pose a risk of future thromboembolism during prolonged volume shifts.

Flowreversal in the left internal jugular vein due to a prominent brachiocephalic trunk: A case report.

Reversal of blood flow has only been reported in the left internal jugular vein following interventions such as central venous catheter, dialysis shunt placement, or external compression from a tumor. We describe a rare case of chronic headache and hearing loss due to flow reversal in the left internal jugular vein and compensatory massive dilation of the right internal jugular vein. Flow reversal was caused by a prominent brachiocephalic trunk with subseqent compression of the vena brachiocephalica sinistra. Vascular anomalies and associated venous bypass circulation may be considered as a rare cause of non-specific malaise. Restoration of the physiological direction of blood flow should be discussed on an interdisciplinary basis given the unpredictable haemodynamic consequences.

Jugular Venous Response for Risk Stratification in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND:  The response of jugular venous pressure (JVP) to increased preload with inspiration has been recognized as a method of stratifying risk in the management of heart failure (HF). Whether the JVP response to inspiration may be more effective than other simple approaches in this setting remains unclear. METHODS:  This study enrolled 79 patients with stable HF. JVP was assessed from the right internal jugular vein in the sitting position and was considered high if visible above the right clavicle at rest. JVP responses to inspiration, the five-repetition sit-to-stand test (5-STS), and squatting were also evaluated. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death and hospitalization for worsening HF. RESULTS:  JVP assessment after 5-STS and during squatting was not conducted in two and 14 HF patients, respectively, due to physical limitations. During a mean follow-up of 837 days, the primary outcome was associated with a high JVP at rest (hazard ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 5.60; P <0.05), with inspiration (hazard ratio, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.17 to 5.46; P <0.05), after 5-STS (hazard ratio, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.97; P <0.05), and during squatting (hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.03 to 6.06; P <0.05). Among patients without a high JVP at rest, the specificity of the primary outcome at one year was greater for the JVP response to inspiration (89%) and squatting (92%) than for the response to 5-STS (80%). CONCLUSIONS:  JVP response to increased preload with inspiration may be a simple and practical method for risk assessment in patients with stable HF.

External Jugular Vein Slow-Flow Venous Malformation Presenting as a Swelling Over the Neck: A Report of a Rare Case.

Vascular malformations originating from the wall of the external jugular vein are exceedingly uncommon. We present a unique case of a venous malformation arising from the external jugular vein, successfully treated through surgical excision with no subsequent recurrence. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention in managing such rare clinical entities without any resulting morbidity.

Jugular Foramen Paragangliomas.

Paragangliomas are the most common tumors at jugular foramen and pose a great surgical challenge. Careful clinical history and physical examination must be performed to adequately evaluate neurological deficits and its chronologic evolution, also to delineate an overview of the patient performance status. Complete imaging evaluation including MRI and CT scans should be performed, and angiography is a must to depict tumor blood supply and sigmoid sinus/internal jugular vein patency. Screening for multifocal paragangliomas is advisable, with a whole-body imaging. Laboratory investigation of endocrine function of the tumor is necessary, and adrenergic tumors may be associated with synchronous lesions. Preoperative prepare with alpha-blockage is advisable in norepinephrine/epinephrine-secreting tumors; however, it is not advisable in exclusively dopamine-secreting neoplasms. Best surgical candidates are young otherwise healthy patients with smaller lesions; however, treatment should be individualized each case. Variations of infratemporal fossa approach are employed depending on extensions of the mass. Regarding facial nerve management, we avoid to expose or reroute it if there is preoperative function preservation and prefer to work around facial canal in way of a fallopian bridge technique. If there is preoperative facial nerve compromise, the mastoid segment of the nerve is exposed, and it may be grafted if invaded or just decompressed. A key point is to preserve the anteromedial wall of internal jugular vein if there is preoperative preservation of lower cranial nerves. Careful multilayer closure is essential to avoid at most cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Residual tumors may be reoperated if growing and presenting mass effect or be candidate for adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery.

Surgical and radiological perspectives for the spinal accessory nerve passing through a fenestrated internal jugular vein: case series and literature review.

The preservation of the spinal accessory nerve represents a key goal in head and neck oncologic surgery during selective neck dissection. This study aims to illustrate the anatomical variants of the XI cranial nerve, delving into the relationship between the spinal nerve and the internal jugular vein, as well as the surgical implications. Two cases of patients who underwent oncologic surgery with neck dissection are described. Both cases found the spinal accessory nerve passing through the fenestration of the internal jugular vein. Alongside this case series, an independent literature review was conducted using the Medline and PubMed databases. In the majority of cases (67% - 96%), the spinal accessory nerve traces a lateral course to the internal jugular vein. Less frequently, the XI cranial nerve courses medial to the internal jugular vein. More rarely, as described in this case series, the nerve crosses through the fenestration of the vein (0.48% - 3.3%).

Carotid Artery Aneurysm-Induced Mediastinal Hematoma Leading to Airway Compression-A Rare Complication of Internal Jugular Vein Puncture.

Carotid artery puncture is a common complication of internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization. However, there are few reports about an aneurysm from the carotid artery that can develop into an occult mediastinal hematoma, leading to airway compression. In this case study, we present the case of a 71-year-old male who experienced an aneurysm and delayed mediastinal hematoma, ultimately resulting in airway compression after right jugular line insertion. Our findings highlight the importance of not only addressing local hematoma formation at the puncture site promptly, but also recognizing the potential for aneurysm extension into the mediastinum and the formation of an occult hematoma, which can lead to airway compression. Additionally, we provide a summary of landmark technique precautions that can help reduce the occurrence of such severe complications.

Impact of insertion into the left internal jugular vein in chemoport-associated infections: a retrospective single-center study of 1690 cases.

We analyzed chemoport insertion procedures to evaluate infectious morbidity and factors causing infection. This single-center retrospective study included 1690 cases of chemoport implantation between January 2017 and December 2020. Overall, chemoports were inserted in 1582 patients. The average duration of chemoport use was 481 days (range 1-1794, median 309). Infections occurred in 80 cases (4.7%), with 0.098 per 1000 catheter-days. Among the 80 cases in which chemoports were removed because of suspected infection, bacteria were identified in 48 (60%). Significantly more cases of left internal jugular vein punctures were noted in the infected group (15 [18.8%] vs. 147 [9.1%]; p = 0.004). Pulmonary embolism was significantly different between the infection groups (3 [3.8%] vs. 19 (1.2%), p = 0.048). The hazard ratio was 2.259 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.288-3.962) for the left internal jugular vein, 3.393 (95% CI 1.069-10.765) for pulmonary embolism, and 0.488 (95% CI 0.244-0.977) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Using the right internal jugular vein rather than the left internal jugular vein when performing chemoport insertion might reduce subsequent infections.

Treatment of Catheter-Associated Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis Using Apixaban for Less Than Three Months in Two Patients With Aggressive B-cell Lymphoma Undergoing Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, and Prednisolone Therapy.

The selection of anticoagulant therapy and appropriate duration of treatment for central venous (CV) catheter-associated internal jugular vein thrombosis in patients with malignant lymphoma remain unclear. Two cases of aggressive B-cell lymphomas treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone), in which apixaban administered for less than three months was effective against CV catheter-associated internal jugular vein thrombosis, are reported. In one case, the right internal jugular vein thrombosis developed after eight courses of R-CHOP; when apixaban was orally administered for 37 days after the CV catheter was removed, the thrombus completely dissolved and did not recur for 27 months. In the other case, right internal jugular vein thrombosis developed after four courses of R-CHOP; two additional courses of the R-CHOP were administered alongside oral apixaban administration without catheter removal. After 66 days of oral apixaban, the thrombus completely dissolved, the CV catheter was removed, and no recurrence was observed for 8.5 months.

Ten-Year Experience with Endomyocardial Biopsy after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation: Comparison between Trans-Jugular and Trans-Femoral Approach.

BACKGROUND: Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is considered the gold standard for monitoring allograft rejection after heart transplantation. EMB is an invasive procedure that may be performed via a trans-jugular or a trans-femoral approach with a complication rate reported as less than 6%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complication rate after EMBs in heart recipients and to compare the results of EMBs performed via a trans-jugular or a trans-femoral approach. METHODS: Medical records of heart recipients undergoing EMBs between January 2012 and December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. EMB-related complications were classified as major (death, pericardial effusion, hemopericardium, cardiac tamponade requiring a pericardiocentesis or an urgent cardiac surgery, ventricular arrythmias, permanent atrio-ventricular block requiring permanent pacing, hemothorax, pneumothorax and retroperitoneal bleeding) and minor (de novo tricuspid regurgitation, arrhythmias, coronary artery fistula, vascular access site complications). RESULTS: A total of 1698 EMBs were performed during the study period at our institution in 212 heart recipients. There were 927 (55%) EMBs performed through a trans-jugular approach (TJ group) and 771 (45%) EMBs performed through a trans-femoral approach (TF group). A total of 60 (3.5%) complications were recorded, including nine (0.5%) major complications (six cardiac tamponades, two pneumothorax and one retroperitoneal bleeding) and 51 (3%) minor complications (seven coronary fistulae, five de novo tricuspid regurgitation, four supraventricular arrythmias and thirty-five vascular access site complications). No difference was found in total (38 [4%] vs. 22 [3%]; p = 0.16) and major (6 [1%} vs. 3 [0.4%]; p = 0.65) complications (32 [3%] vs. 19 [2%]; p = 0.23) between the TJ group and the TF group. No difference was found in male sex, age at time of EMB and time from HT between complicated and not complicated EMBs. CONCLUSIONS: EMBs represent a safe procedure with a low risk of complications. In our experience, EMBs performed via a trans-jugular approach are as safe as the trans-femoral approach.

A Rare Anastomosis Between the Internal and the External Jugular Veins: A Case Report.

Usually, the external jugular vein (EJV) is located superficially over the sternocleidomastoid muscle and joins the subclavian vein or the venous angle. The internal jugular vein (IJV) lies deeply in close relation with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve, enveloped by the carotid sheath. Normally, there is no direct connection between those vessels. During a routine neck dissection, we found a rare anastomosis between IJV and EJV. The anastomosis was localized on the level of the cricoid cartilage. It was approximately 1 cm long, with the diameter of the lumen being 0.3 cm. There was no obstruction along the length of the vessel. The direction was oblique and followed the blood flow from IJV to EJV. The observed variation has high clinical importance related to numerous procedures executed in the neck region, such as placement of hemodialysis catheter in patients with renal failure, insertion of central venous line in the care of critically ill patients, and radical neck dissections.

Aneurisma de la vena yugular interna, presentación de caso en adulto

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 77 años, en quien, durante una cirugía de resección de tumor cutáneo, se observa incidentalmente aumento de volumen cervical derecho de características dinámicas. El hallazgo corresponde a un aneurisma de la vena yugular interna derecha, diagnóstico de mayor frecuencia en población pediátrica, habitualmente de curso benigno.

A 77-year-old woman in whom, during a skin tumor resection surgery, a right cervical swelling with dynamic characteristics was observed. The finding is compatible with an aneurysm of the right internal jugular vein, more commonly obsered in children, usually with a benign course.

Effects of percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects via the right internal jugular vein.

Background: Percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure is the preferred treatment for patients with suitable ASD anatomy. The safety and effectiveness of transcatheter closure have been established. However, reports on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided percutaneous closure of ASD via the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) are limited. The study aims to discuss the safety and effectiveness of percutaneous trans-jugular vein closure of ASD. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients (n=103) with secondary ASD who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University between July 2015 to July 2022. The article is a cross-sectional study. Clinical data, including age, gender, weight, defect diameter, tricuspid regurgitation, left atrial (LA) size, and the operation results, were collected and evaluated. Nonparametric rank sum tests were used to assess tricuspid regurgitation before and after surgery, while paired sample t-tests were used to compare LA size before and after surgery. Results: TEE-guided percutaneous closure of ASD via the RIJV was successfully performed in 97 out of 103 (94.2%) cases. The average procedure time was 34.48±13.06 min, and the mean age at the time of the procedure and ASD size were 36±18 years and 15.45±5.82 mm, respectively. On analyzing medical records and echocardiographic images, postoperative complications were found to occur in four (3.9%) patients. Among these, three patients had residual shunt as indicated by echocardiography during the operation, which subsequently disappeared at the three-month follow-up. One patient developed atrial fibrillation after surgery but returned to normal sinus rhythm with medication. Percutaneous closure of ASD via the RIJV was unsuccessful in 6 patients (5.8%), with 5 of them undergoing transthoracic ASD closure and achieving satisfactory results. One patient refused further surgical treatment. No pericardial effusion, thrombosis, atrioventricular block, or other complications were observed during the 3-month to 1-year follow-up period. Conclusions: ASD closure via the RIJV is a safe and effective therapeutic approach. The initial results are satisfactory, but further studies with large sample sizes and long-term follow-up are warranted to assess the long-term outcomes.