Jugular phlebectasia: clinical scenario in India

Jugular phlebectasia is fusiform dilatation of internal jugular vein seen in childrens. It usually occurs in children but can occur at any age. It usually presents as unilateral swelling in the neck found during coughing and shouting. It is usually asymptomatic, so it is often ignored or misdiagnosed. Differential diagnosis include laryngocele, cavernous hemangioma, cystic hygroma, branchial cyst. Treatment is usually conservative as complications like thrombosis and horners syndrome are very rare. Non invasive investigations like Doppler sonogram and are usually done to diagnose this condition. We report two cases of jugular phlebectasia, who presented to our out patient department with history of swelling in the right side of neck which increases on crying and shouting. Doppler sonogram and ultrasound was done to diagnose the condition. There seems be lack of knowledge among medical fraternity in various specialities. So a questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge among resident doctors, general practitioners, Otorhinolaryngologists, paediatricians. Questionnaire was posted in social networking sites and the feedback was obtained. Out of the 150 interns in our hospital, only one (0.66 %) was able to explain about the condition. In general practitioners group containing 369 respondents, only 4 (1.08 %) knew the condition and have seen patients. A pediatricians group containing 312 respondents only 23 (7.37 %) pediatricians knew the condition, 289 (92.62 %) persons had no idea about the treatment. Otorhinolaryngologists group containing 328 respondents. 21 (6.40 %) knew the condition, 293 (89.3 %) have no idea. The Chi square test shows that the specialty of the respondent like pediatrician and ENT practitioner have more knowledge than the other for jugular phlebectasia at p < 0.0001.