Project description:BackgroundWe report a case study of fat embolism seen on ultrasound at right internal jugular vein during central venous cannulation in a patient diagnosed with fat embolism syndrome. This case demonstrates the importance of ultrasound for evaluation of trauma cases with suspicion of fat embolism.Case presentationA 23-year-old trauma patient with closed fracture of left femoral shaft and left humerus presented to our emergency department (ED). 11 h after admission to ED, patient became confused, hypoxic and hypotensive. He was then intubated for respiratory failure and mechanically ventilated. Transesophageal ultrasound revealed hyperdynamic heart, dilated right ventricle with no regional wall abnormalities and no major aorta injuries. Whole-body computed tomography was normal. During central venous cannulation of right internal jugular vein (IJV), we found free floating mobile hyperechoic spots, located at the anterior part of the vein. A diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome later was made based on the clinical presentation of long bone fractures and fat globulin in the blood. Despite aggressive fluid resuscitation, patient was a non-responder and needed vasopressor infusion for persistent shock. Blood aspirated during cannulation from the IJV revealed a fat globule. Patient underwent uneventful orthopedic procedures and was discharged well on day 5 of admission.ConclusionsPoint-of-care ultrasound findings of fat embolism in central vein can facilitate and increase the suspicion of fat embolism syndrome.
Project description:IntroductionWe studied the effect of head rotation on the relative position of the right common carotid artery (CCA) and the right internal jugular vein (IJV) in patients with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion to evaluate the accuracy of anatomical landmarks for right IJV cannulation.MethodsWe simulated needle insertion to the right IJV on sonograms via the central landmark approach and an approach using the external jugular vein, in patients with LMA insertion (n = 50) or endotracheal intubation (E-tube, n = 50). Overlap index and successful simulation rates were measured according to the different degrees of head rotation.ResultsThe overlap index between the right CCA and the right IJV increased with greater degrees of head rotation. It was significantly greater in the LMA insertion group than in the E-tube group in the following head rotation positions: neutral, 15° and 45°. The success rate of the simulation was lower in the LMA insertion group than in the E-tube group. In the LMA insertion group, the success rate of the simulation was highest (62%) with the central landmark approach and in the 15° head rotation position.ConclusionIn the LMA insertion group, the overlap index increased incrementally with greater head rotation degrees (from neutral to 45°). The central landmark approach and 15° head rotation position appear to be the optimal puncture site and degree of head rotation for right IJV cannulation in patients with LMA insertion.
Project description:BackgroundRight internal jugular vein (IJV) is a preferred access route for tunneled (cuffed) dialysis catheters (TDCs), and both right external jugular vein (EJV) and left IJV are alternative routes for patients in case the right IJV isn't available for TDC placement. This retrospective study aimed to determine if a disparity exists between the two alternative routes in hemodialysis patients in terms of outcomes of TDCs.Methods49 hemodialysis patients who required TDCs through right EJV (n = 21) or left IJV (n = 28) as long-term vascular access were included in this study. The primary end point was cumulative catheter patency. Secondary end points include primary catheter patency, proportion of patients that never required urokinase and incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI).ResultsA total of 20,870 catheter-days were evaluated and the median was 384 (interquartile range, 262-605) catheter-days. Fewer catheters were removed in the right EJV group than in the left IJV group (P = 0.007). Mean cumulative catheter patency was higher in the right EJV group compared with the left IJV group (P = 0.031). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of CRBSI, primary catheter patency or proportion of patients that never required urokinase use. Total indwell time of antecedent catheters was identified as an independent risk factor for cumulative catheter patency by Cox regression hazards test with an HR of 2.212 (95% CI, 1.363-3.588; p = 0.001).ConclusionsRight EJV might be superior to left IJV as an alternative insertion route for TDC placement in hemodialysis patients whose right IJVs are unavailable.
Project description:BackgroundThyrocervical trunk rupture is an unusual, but critical, complication associated with central venous catheter (CVC) placement. The management of this complication has not been fully determined because it is rare.Case presentationA 53-year-old Japanese woman with anorexia nervosa developed refractory ventricular fibrillation. After returning spontaneous circulation, a CVC was successfully placed at the initial attempt in the right internal jugular vein using real-time ultrasound guidance. Immediately after CVC placement, she developed enlarging swelling around the neck. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed massive contrast media extravasation around the neck and mediastinum. Brachiocephalic artery angiography showed a "blush" appearance of the ruptured right thyrocervical trunk. After selective arterial embolization with 33% N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, the extravasation completely disappeared and hemostasis was achieved.ConclusionOur findings suggest that severe vascular complications arising from CVC placement can occur in patients with a fragile physiological state. Endovascular embolization is an effective treatment for such complications.
Project description:BackgroundDonor-recipient diameter discrepancy can be problematic when using an autologous great saphenous vein graft for internal jugular vein reconstruction. A triple-paneled method of saphenous vein grafting is one solution.Case presentationA 54-year-old man with a thyroid papillary carcinoma underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral neck dissection. An 8-cm segment of the right internal jugular vein was resected. For reconstruction, a 30-cm segment of the great saphenous vein was harvested and divided into three pieces of equal length. After opening each piece longitudinally, they were sutured together in a side-by-side fashion to create a cylinder that was used to reconstruct the internal jugular vein defect. The graft was patent 10 months after the surgery.ConclusionThe triple-paneled method is feasible for autologous great saphenous vein graft reconstruction of the internal jugular vein.
Project description:Venous thrombosis associated with pacemaker implant is a known phenomenon. We present a clinical video emphasizing on an important physical examination finding suggesting propagation of thrombus in internal jugular vein secondary to pacemaker insertion, which would be educational and help readers visualize the sign on physical examination.
Project description:Internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis is an unusual condition, especially when it develops bilaterally. This is a case of bilateral IJV thrombosis in a 77-year old female who presented to the emergency department with neck and arm swelling after discontinuing apixaban and undergoing an oropharyngeal procedure. The diagnosis of bilateral IJV thrombosis was made with the use of point-of-care ultrasound to evaluate bilateral jugular vein distention and bilateral upper extremity pitting edema found on her physical examination.
Project description:Tumor thrombosis of the internal jugular vein (IJV) represents an uncommon event, usually in the setting of underlying thyroid neoplasms. Extraosseous plasmacytoma (EMP) with tumor thrombosis of the IJV has not yet been reported in the literature. We present a unique case of a plasmacytoma in the left parapharyngeal space with direct extension to the left IJV, documented with contrast enhanced computed tomography and US Doppler. Presence of avid thrombus enhancement allowed differentiation between tumoral extension and thrombothic changes.
Project description:BackgroundAlthough ultrasonography is recommended in internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization, the landmark-guided technique should still be considered. The central landmark using the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is widely used, but it is inaccurate for IJV access. As an alternative landmark, we investigated the accuracy of the new landmark determined by inspection of the respiratory jugular venodilation and direct IJV palpation in right IJV access by ultrasonography.Methods and findingsThirty patients were enrolled. After induction of anesthesia, the central landmark was marked at the cricoid cartilage level (M1) and the alternative landmark determined by inspection of the respiratory jugular venodilation and direct palpation of IJV was also marked at the same level (M2). Using ultrasonography, the location of IJV was identified (M3) and the distance between M1 and M3 as well as between M2 and M3 were measured. The median (interquartile range) distance between the M2 and M3 was 3.5 (2.0-6.0) mm, compared to 17.5 (12.8-21.3) mm between M1 and M3. (P<0.001) The dispersion of distances between M2 and M3 was significantly smaller than between M1 and M3. (P<0.001) The visibility of respiratory jugular venodilation was associated with CVP more than 4 mmHg. Limitations of the present study are that the inter-observer variability was not investigated and that the visibility of the alternative landmark can be limited to right IJV in adults.ConclusionThe alternative landmark may allow shorter distance for the right side IJV access than the central landmark and can offer advantages in right IJV catheterization when ultrasound device is unavailable.Trial registrationClinical Research Informational Service KCT0000812.