Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T09:48:20.375Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Duplication of internal jugular veins: case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 August 2009

B Y W Wong
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK
D R Strachan*
Affiliation:
Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK
E L Loney
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Bradford Royal Infirmary, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr D R Strachan, ENT Department, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford BD9 6RJ, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objectives:

We report a rare case of internal jugular vein duplications, in order to raise the level of awareness of this anomaly amongst ENT surgeons, radiologists and intensive care practitioners. We briefly review and discuss the related literature.

Case report:

Duplicated internal jugular veins are a rare anatomical finding. They may be subclinical, or may present with neck swellings that may be mistaken for laryngocoeles or branchial cysts. We present a case of bilateral internal jugular vein duplication in a young adult. The referral was made on the basis of intermittent neck swelling, dyspnoea and dysphagia. Conservative treatment was instigated, and symptoms improved without surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

Only a handful of cases of duplicated internal jugular veins have been reported. The current case is unique, as no previously reported cases have presented with dyspnoea and dysphagia. We suggest a conservative approach, as there is currently no evidence that duplicated internal jugular veins cause any adverse health outcomes.

Type
Clinical Record
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Prades, JM, Timoshenko, A, Dumollard, JM, Durand, M, Merzougui, N, Martin, C. High duplication of the internal jugular vein: clinical incidence in the adult and surgical consequences, a report of three clinical cases. Surg Radiol Anat 2002;24:129–32CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2Towbin, AJ, Kanal, E. A review of two cases of fenestrated internal jugular veins as seen by CT angiography. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2004;25:1433–4Google ScholarPubMed
3Munoz Guerra, MF, Campo, FR, Gias, LN, Diaz Gonzalez, FJ. Double internal jugular vein. Plast Reconstr Surg 2000;106:14341435CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4Sylaidis, P, Bardsley, A. Montgomery, P. Duplication of internal jugular vein. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;123:1358CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5Gonzalez-Garcia, R, Román-Romero, L, Mancha de la Plata, M. The rare phenomenon of internal jugular vein duplication. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2007;137:847–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Turan-Ozdemir, S, Coskun, H, Balban, M. Phlebectasia of the external jugular vein associated with duplication of the internal jugular vein. Clin Anat 2004;14:522–5CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Rossi, A, Tortori-Donati, P. Internal jugular vein phlebectasia and duplication: case report with magnetic resonance angiography features. Pediatr Radiol 2001;31:134CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Som, PM, Shugar, JM, Sacher, M, Lanzieri, CF. Internal jugular vein phlebectasia and duplication: CT features. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1985;9:390–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Downie, SA, Schalop, L, Mazurek, JN, Savitch, G, Lelonek, GJ, Olson, TR. Bilateral duplicated internal jugular veins: case study and literature review. Clin Anat 2007;20:260–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Denys, BG, Uretsky, BF. Anatomical variations of internal jugular vein location: impact on central venous access. Crit Care Med 1991;19:1516–19CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed