[Cannulation of the internal jugular vein under control of USG imaging].

The internal jugular vein cannulation is a commonly used route for access to the central venous system for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Although the great majority of this venous puncture are successfully performed using anatomic landmark technique, serious complication such as pneumothorax, arterial puncture or hemothorax can occur during this procedure, particularly under difficult clinical condition. A simple, ultrasound-guided technique has been developed using a portable scanner with transducer optimized for venous access. The authors experience in over 100 cases of ultrasound-guided central venous cannulations has been described. Ultrasound guidance reduces the number of passes needed to puncture the vein, increases the success rate of venous puncture, and minimizes complications. Ultrasound guidance is usually successful in allowing performance of internal jugular vein cannulation when landmark technique fail.