Venous aneurysm of the jugular vein in horses

Abstract

Venous anomalies of the jugular vein are uncommon in the horse. Jugular venous aneurysms (congenital or pseudoaneurysm) in horses usually present as a compressible asymptomatic cervical mass enlarging on manual congestion of the jugular vein. They can be classified into primary (congenital) and acquired lesions. Primary venous aneurysms are true venous aneurysms because in these lesions the venous wall is intact, whereas false or pseudoaneurysm has a disruption of the inner layers of the venous wall. Two types of jugular vein aneurysm can be identified, fusiform or saccular, the former being the most common in people. Doppler ultrasound imaging confirms the diagnosis. Surgical treatment, aneurysmectomy with venorraphy or venoplasty is indicated in case of progressive aneurysmal expansion. This clinical commentary describes a 4‐month‐old foal presented with a primary aneurysm of the right jugular vein in the midcervial region. Treatment consisted of partial aneurysmectomy and venorraphy. Four years later, the horse had a patent jugular vein with a normal diameter and was trained without clinical signs of venous distension.

Neurologic deficits and surgical treatment in a horse affected with internal carotid artery tortuous elongation

“…In this specific case, the ICA was dilated (early aneurysm formation) and the curvature was far more explicit. The distension can be called a true aneurysm if the arterial wall is intact (Rijkenhuizen, 2021), and the permanent localised dilation is at least 150% of the diameter of a normal artery as based on contralateral or expected size (Dawson & Fitridge, 2013). Aneurysms have been noticed in the guttural pouch previously without clinical symptoms (Colles & Cook, 1983; Greet, 1987; Lepage & Piccot‐Crézollet, 2010) and were observed close to the cranial nerves localised in the neurovascular plica.…”

B-mode and color Doppler ultrasonography of normal external jugular vein in donkeys (Equus asinus)

“…The jugular vein is a major important blood vessel in equine because it is the most common site used for collecting of blood samples, intravenous injections, and catheterization [ 20 , 21 ]. Therefore, many diseased conditions have been noticed in such vein including phlebitis and thrombophlebitis [ 22 , 23 ], and aneurysm [ 13 ].…”

“…As mentioned in previous studies in horses [ 5 , 22 ], many complications may develop because of jugular thrombophlebitis including impaired venous drainage of the head with subsequent brain congestion or edema and impaired thermoregulation, congestion, or edema of the nasal, pharyngeal, or laryngeal mucosa that causes dysphagia and/or dyspnea. Horses with jugular vein aneurysm are usually presented with a compressible asymptomatic cervical mass, enlarged upon manual compression of the vein [ 13 ].…”

“…Furthermore, information obtained from ultrasonographic examination of the jugular vein can be used to assess central venous pressure, which may provide useful data about intravascular-volume status, adequacy of fluid resuscitation, presence of congestive heart failure, or other abnormal conditions, such as jugular phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, and pericardial tamponade [ 3 , 25 ]. Moreover, Doppler ultrasound imaging confirmed jugular vein aneurysm in horses [ 13 ].…”

“…Ultrasonography is a reliable diagnostic tool for the early detection or progression of jugular vein abnormalities by detecting the vascular wall thickness and luminal patency [ 3 , 11 ]. Moreover, Doppler ultrasonography is an essential non-invasive and safe clinical tool commonly used in the diagnosis of vascular diseases in humans [ 12 ] and horses [ 13 ]. Additionally, Doppler ultrasonography could be used as a follow-up tool during the treatment and monitoring of vascular diseases.…”