Internal jugular phlebectasia communicating with a cervicomediastinal lipoma: a case report

Venous aneurysms are an atypical presentation of neck masses in the paediatric population. The evaluation and surgical removal of internal jugular vein phlebectasia and a lipoma coexisting are described in this report. Internal jugular vein phlebectasia is theorised as a congenital defect and is becoming more common with advancing imaging technologies. Both phlebectasia and lipomas are considered benign conditions, but clinicians must be aware of tumours producing mass effect.

Paediatric primary cough headache with internal jugular phlebectasia

Primary cough headaches (PCHs) are mainly observed in people aged >40 years, but cough-induced headaches are potentially symptomatic in children. We report a case of a child diagnosed with PCH without an intracranial disease. A 7-year-old boy presented with cough due to pertussis and powerful cough-induced headaches. No brain abnormalities were detected, but the right side of his neck was observed to swell. Echo examination confirmed right internal jugular vein dilatation during a Valsalva manoeuvre, and the patient was diagnosed with PCH with internal jugular phlebectasia. PCHs are normally reported in adults, but they can also occur in children. PCHs and internal jugular vein abnormalities may be related. Thus, tests assessing internal jugular vein morphology and function should be considered for PCH cases.

Internal jugular phlebectasia: A systematic review

Background: Internal jugular phlebectasia (IJP), the abnormal dilatation of internal jugular vein, is generally considered a benign anomaly. However, because IJP is uncommon, little is known about its natural history, and currently, no consensus on the best treatment modality is available. Methods: The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic review of available literature on recently reported IJP cases to understand the main characteristics of IJP and its most frequent therapeutic approaches. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, literature search for IJP cases was conducted in the COCHRANE, PUBMED, EBSCOHOST, SCOPUS, OVID, and SCIELO databases. Results: A total of 97 original articles were found, with a total of 247 IJP cases reported including both pediatric and adult patients. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the largest systematic review analyzing all the reported cases of IJP. IJP is considered by most authors as a benign abnormality that predominantly affects the right jugular vein. It is most commonly diagnosed in children. At present, conservative treatment is preferred for pediatric but not for adult patients. Multicenter randomized prospective studies are required to further understand this rare anomaly.

Unilateral internal jugular vein phlebectasia in an adult: Management and one year follow-up

Phlebectasia describes an anomalous, fusiform dilatation of a vein. In the neck region, the internal and external jugular veins are mostly affected. To our knowledge, this is the first case in Saudi Arabia of internal jugular phlebectasia affecting an adult female. We describe a 61-year-old female with complaints of a neck swelling she noticed 4 years ago. Initially, the swelling increased in size and reached a stable level. It was asymptomatic and only enlarged during Valsalva maneuver. Flexible nasolaryngoscopy and computerized tomography scan showed unremarkable examination. Follow-up after 1 year with US Doppler showed no progression. Internal jugular phlebectasia is a rare disorder which is often diagnosed during childhood. More often than not, it does not cause any significant morbidity. Since it is a benign condition, observation is advised with regular monitoring. For asymptomatic lesions, surgical intervention is recommended if cosmetic or psychologic concerns are present.