Abstract :
Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is uncommon and an unidentifiable vascular disease which showed fatal complications mainly sepsis and pulmonary embolism. It is usually subsidiary to intravenous drug abuse, prolonged central venous catheterization or deep head-neck infections or trauma. Associated malignancies are not common and not well documented in the etiology of IJVT. Spontaneous IJVT is considered when no evident predisposing cause of thrombosis is present. A previously healthy, 37-year-old woman doctor by profession presented to the radiology department due to the mild painful swelling in the left anterior side of her neck. Physical examination revealed a painful, soft and immobile mass in the left anterior side of the neck beneath the sternocleidomastoid muscle, without hyperemia or local heat. On ultrasonographic examination, an echogenic thrombus with absent colour flow noted in left internal jugular vein s/o complete thrombosis. The patient was administered subcutaneous Fondared 7.5 mg (fondaparinux sodium inj) as anticoagulant therapy for 14 days (2 weeks). Her complaints were relieved within 14 days and later she was put on Ecosprin 150 mg once daily for 6 months. Partial recanulization was seen after 3 months. This case report describes a patient with IJVT. Venous thrombosis in general results from impaired blood flow locally or systemically that leads to activation of coagulation. Physicians should uphold a high
index of suspicion in patients who present with undiagnosed swelling in the neck, or other signs and symptoms attributed to IJVT.
Keyword :
Spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis, Ultrasonography, Venous thrombosis, Coagulation.