Pseudoaneurysm of the brachiocephalic arteries: a complication of percutaneous internal jugular vein catheterization.

Three cases of arterial pseudoaneurysm formation as a complication of percutaneous internal jugular vein catheterization are presented. Laceration of the posterior common carotid artery or thyrocervical trunk was the source for these lesions. The common antecedent event was the attempted cannulation of the internal jugular vein with the lateral approach. A transcervical rather than transthoracic approach for treatment of these lesions was selected because of its low morbidity rate. This report documents another complication of internal jugular vein cannulation and recommends methods for prevention and successful treatment should it occur.