Anatomical variations in the internal jugular veins of cancer patients affecting central venous access. Anatomical variation of the internal jugular vein.
OBJECTIVE
Establishing a reliable central venous access is an important procedure in clinical haematology and oncology. The purpose of this study was to determine how anatomical variations in the internal jugular vein (IJV) and its position in relation to the common carotid artery (CCA) in cancer patients affects external landmark puncture.


METHODS
In 113 patients with haematological or oncological diseases we examined sonographically potential target regions for placement of a central catheter via the IJV.


RESULTS
36% of our patients showed anatomical variations in the IJV and surrounding tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
External landmark puncture may be difficult in a considerable number of patients since the IJV might not be situated in the presumed location anteriorly or laterally to the CCA, or a normal lumen may not be present in approximately 1/3 of cancer patients. This study supports the use of ultrasound-guided techniques for central venous catheters particularly in haematological and oncological patients.
Charité, Campus Buch, Humboldt University Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Klinik, Department of Haematology, Oncology and Tumorimmunology, Berlin, Germany.
T
T
Benter
U K
UK
Teichgräber
L
L
Klühs
S
S
Papadopoulos
C H
CH
Köhne
R
R
Felix
B
B
Dörken
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods