Case reports   

International Angiology 2010 June;29(3):284-5

Copyright © 2010 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

External jugular vein aneurysm: a source of thrombotic complications

Ioannou C. V., Kostas T., Tsetis D., Georgakarakos E., Gionis M., Katsamouris A. N. ✉

¹ Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; ² Department of Radiology, University of Crete Medical School, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Superficial venous aneurysms are rare and usually are uneventful. We present a case in which a 40-year old female presenting with a thrombosed external jugular vein aneurysm which previously caused an undetected pulmonary embolism. The aneurysm was excised and the external jugular vein was ligated under local anesthesia and anticoagulation was initiated. In conclusion aneurysms of the superficial venous system should be considered as a possible source of pulmonary emboli. These sites can safely be excised and ligated under local anesthesia offering long term protection from its possible complications.