INTERNAL JUGULAR PHLEBECTASIA

Abstract

Internal jugular phlebectasia is defined and emphasis is stressed as to the apparent rarity of the condition. A case is reported in detail. The diagnosis is made chiefly by a careful process of elimination and is not too difficult because this type of neck swelling possesses certain characteristics peculiar to it alone. It is felt that the case reported herein as a symptomatic internal jugular phlebectasia is the first to appear in the domestic literature and the second in the world literature. Two other cases that bear some consideration are discussed in order to exclude them because of the lack of evidence to indicate that they are true symptomatic phlebectasia of the internal jugular. The possible etiologic factors are mentioned and a treatment is suggested. A condition described as “genuine diffuse phlebectasia” is discussed so that that term will not be confused with internal jugular phlebectasia.