A unique variation of the jugular veins and its clinical significance.

Abstract

The authors report a rare variation of the anterior jugular and internal jugular veins in a 78-year-old male donor. An enlarged and curved left anterior jugular vein (AJV) was formed as the continuation of the left common facial vein (CFV). The left AJV's diameter was wider than the internal jugular vein (IJV) and measured around 5 mm greater than the IJV's diameter and a channel connected the two veins. The right AJV and CFV continued from the two divisions of the right facial vein. The right AJV's diameter was smaller than the right IJV's diameter. The right external jugular vein was absent. No concurrent pathology supported the abnormal dimension of the left AJV and the findings were indicative of a variant anatomy. These variations have rarely been reported and have important clinical correlations. Failed IJV cannulation may result if the variant neck veins are missed. However, variant veins may serve as collateral channels and patch material in IJV reconstruction, carotid angioplasty, and ventricular-jugular shunts.