Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis

The internal jugular vein (IJV) originates at the jugular foramen, tracks down to the lateral neck and ends at the brachiocephalic vein. The IJV is one of the four components of the carotid sheath, along with the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery, the vagus nerve, and the deep cervical lymph nodes. It courses medially to the sternocleidomastoid muscle at the carotid triangle. Studies have suggested significant variations in individuals, such as the IJV is anterior, lateral or anterior and lateral to the common carotid artery in the majority of the general population; whereas, for the remaining population, the IJV is medial to the common carotid artery.  IJV thrombosis is the formation of thrombus located intraluminally in the IJV. Hereditary and acquired risk factors for thrombosis include intravenous drug use, factor V Leiden mutation, malignancies, hormone replacement therapy, immobilization, trauma, and pregnancy. These factors contribute to either one or more of the three components of which lead to thrombosis. The internal jugular vein is a common route used by clinicians to access the central circulation for hemodynamical monitoring and stabilization due to its accessibility and anatomic location. Intravenous catheters cause injuries to the endothelium and vein wall inflammation. The most frequently encountered site of deep vein thrombosis for centrally placed catheters is the IJV.