title: Phlebectasia of the external jugular vein with thrombosis: report of a case.
abstract: An 81-year-old male presented with a soft mass on his neck noted in the supine position. After undergoing an operation for an inguinal hernia, the mass was noted to persist regardless of the patient's position. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed phlebectasia of the external jugular vein with an associated thrombosis. Under general anesthesia, the external jugular vein was ligated and removed, along with the thrombus. A histological section revealed that the tunica media of the external jugular vein was absent, and the smooth muscle layer and elastic fibers were attenuated in the fusiform area of the vein. Due to the risk of propagation of the clot and pulmonary embolism, resection of the external jugular vein is advised in cases of phlebectasia of the external jugular vein.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjukuku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kishi
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008026:Ligation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D017131:Thrombectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000002:abnormalities; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*