Unusual course and termination of common facial vein: a case report

Given the common and increasing exploitation of superficial head and neck veins in a widening spectrum of clinical and surgical procedures, it is important to equally broaden understanding of the heterogeneity of the vascular anatomy of the region. We report an unusual course of the right common facial vein parallel to the course of external jugular vein, emptying into the ipsilateral subclavian vein in the lateral neck triangle behind the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in a 78-year-old male cadaver. Such course may be hazardous for surgical procedures in the region given the high risk of profuse haemorrhage from any injury of the vessel. The variant anatomy may also cause problems in invasive techniques involving the vein, especially in emergency and intensive care settings. This index report, therefore, provides a new insight into the superficial head and neck vein anatomical variations in order to guide relevant clinical procedures in the region.