Spontaneous and nonspontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis

Abstract

Nonspontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is an uncommon condition historically associated with deep neck infections during the pre-antibiotic era. Today, trauma to the internal jugular vein from catheterization and repeated intravenous injections by drug users are the leading causes of thrombosis, with direct extension of tumor being a rare cause. Spontaneous IJVT occurs when there are no apparent predisposing causes, although many of these patients may harbor an occult malignant neoplasm. Therefore, careful investigation and follow-up are imperative in these patients. The diagnosis of IJVT is readily confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Management of IJVT involves anticoagulation, antibiotics, and with few indications for surgical intervention.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis presenting as paraneoplastic syndrome in benign cystic teratoma of ovary: a case report

“…10 It most commonly occurs in persons with intravenous drug abuse or patients with prolonged central venous catheterization due to iatrogenic trauma. 11 Other causes are trauma, deep head and neck infections 10,11 functional neck dissection, hypercoagulability status associated with malignant diseases, and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. 7 The most common malignancies associated with thrombosis are pancreatic, lung, stomach and gynaecological malignancies.…”

Evidence Based Management of Spontaneous Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis: A Literature Review

“…They reported a high sensitivity (pooled estimate 95.9%) and specificity (pooled estimate 95.2%) comparable with ultrasound, but found there was too little research to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CT. Nevertheless U/S and CT both have high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing thrombosis although as discussed earlier, CT scanning have added benefit of detailed imaging of surrounding tissues [18]. In contrast, CT has the disadvantages of exposure to high dose radiation, cost and availability.…”

Incidence and clinical significance of internal jugular vein thrombosis in acute ischemic stroke

“…The rate of a malignant tumor was significantly higher in patients with JVT than in those without (100% vs. 14.9%, p<0.001). The tumors were as follows: esophageal cancer (1); lung cancer (1); and uterine cervical cancer (2). The stroke subtype in three patients was Trousseau syndrome with a high D-dimer value, and that in the other patient was a lacunar stroke with a normal D-dimer value.…”