Jugular venous thrombosis: diagnosis by computed tomography

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Vascular Surgery
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is a rare but serious condition.
• Prompt diagnosis and understanding of contributing factors are crucial for patient outcomes.

Observation:

• Five patients diagnosed with IJVT via CT scans were analyzed.
• Clinical presentations included unexplained fever, neck swelling, and mediastinal widening.
• Contributing factors identified were central venous catheter placement and neck surgery.

Findings:

• CT revealed enlarged thrombosed veins with non-enhancing filling defects.
• Enhancing vessel walls and opacified collateral venous channels were observed.
• Left IJVT occurred in two patients following right-sided venous catheterization.

Implications:

• CT is effective in diagnosing internal jugular vein thrombosis.
• Identifying risk factors like central venous catheterization is key for prevention.
• Understanding imaging findings aids in timely and accurate diagnosis.