Knowledge of variations of veins of head and neck in relation to external jugular, anterior jugular, internal jugular, and facial veins is important to surgeons doing head and neck surgery as well as to radiologists doing catheterization and to clinicians in general. In the current case, multiple variations in the veins of the left side of neck are reported. The anterior division of retromandibular vein was absent. The facial vein continued as anterior jugular vein. The internal jugular vein was duplicated above the level of hyoid bone. There was a large communicating vein between the anterior jugular vein and anterior division of internal jugular vein. Lingual vein drained into the communicating vein. Jugular venous arch was abnormally large, doubled, and highly placed. The veins of the right side were normal.
Internal jugular vein ectasia is a venous anomaly commonly presenting as a unilateral neck swelling in children and adults. Literature reports of bilateral presentation are rare. Bilateral Doppler ultrasonography is the diagnostic investigation of choice. The possible pathology, aetiology and management are discussed. Conservative management of bilateral cases is recommended in uncomplicated cases.
Incidence of inadvertent arterial puncture secondary to central venous catheter insertion is not common with an arterial puncture rate of <1%. This is due to the advancements and wide availability of ultrasound to guide its insertion. Formation of arteriovenous fistula after arterial puncture is an unexpected complication. Till date, only five cases (including this case) of acquired arteriovenous fistula formation has been described due to inadvertent common carotid puncture. The present case is a 26-year-old man sustained traumatic brain injuries, chest injuries and multiple bony fractures. During resuscitative phase, attempts at left central venous catheter via left internal jugular vein under ultrasound guidance resulted in inadvertent puncture into the left common carotid artery. Surgical neck exploration revealed that the catheter had punctured through the left internal jugular vein into the common carotid artery with formation of arteriovenous fistula. The catheter was removed successfully and common carotid artery was repaired. Postoperatively, the patient recovered and clinic visits revealed no neurological deficits. From our literature review, the safest method for removal is via endovascular and open surgical removal. The pull/push technique (direct removal with compression) is not recommended due to the high risk for stroke, bleeding and hematoma formation.