title: Internal jugular phlebectasia in children.
abstract: Phlebectasia is an abnormal dilatation of an isolated vein, may affect any vein, and is usually asymptomatic. When the internal jugular vein is involved, it presents as a cervical swelling that can mimic the signs of either pharyngocele or a laryngocele and, because of its rarity, is frequently misdiagnosed. We describe 2 cases of phlebectasia of internal jugular vein in children with voice change in one of them. No treatment is necessary for this benign, self-limiting condition. Clinical features, diagnosis, treatment options, and a review of the literature about this rare venous lesion are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology of Fundação Faculdade Federal Ciências Médicas of Porto Alegre, Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lubianca-Neto
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prati
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver