Multiple Aneurysms of the Left External Jugular Vein

Abstract

A 4-year-old male was admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University. He had a progressive swelling in the left side of the neck. The swollen parts had developed in the past year and become larger when the patient cried. One of these was in the middle of the external jugular vein at the posterior of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle, while the other was in the submandibular part in the distal section of the vein. Physical examination revealed 2 soft, round, mobile, non-pulsating masses approximately 2 x 1 and 1 x 1 cm in diameters. There was no history of trauma. Results from the examination of the other systems were normal. Diagnosis was made using Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Venous magnetic resonance imaging of those regions revealed external jugular vein aneurysms (Figures 1,2). An operation was performed under general anesthesia in the supine position. The aneurysms were freed from the neighboring tissues by separation with 2 cervical incisions, and both aneurysmal dilatations were extracted by binding from the proximal and distal. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathological examination revealed congestional vein structures with thinning in the elastic layer. The lesions were therefore evaluated as true venous aneurysms. The patient was discharged the day after surgery, and remained asymptomatic for the next 6 months.