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:We 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.We 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.The 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.In 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: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:BACKGROUND:Although 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 FINDINGS:Thirty 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. CONCLUSION:The 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 REGISTRATION:Clinical Research Informational Service KCT0000812.
Project description:The presence of Internal Jugular Valves can pose a diagnostic and procedural challenge during ultrasound-guided cannulation. After ruling out dissection, thrombus, or ultrasound artifacts, it can still be accessed and successfully cannulated with appropriate precautions including use of Live ultrasound, positioning, use of soft-tipped catheters, and minimizing duration of catheter placement.
Project description:BACKGROUND:To evaluate the efficacy of using internal jugular vein variability (IJVV) as an index of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients after cardiac surgery. METHODS:Seventy patients were assessed after cardiac surgery. Hemodynamic data coupled with ultrasound evaluation of IJVV and inferior vena cava variability (IVCV) were collected and calculated at baseline, after a passive leg raising (PLR) test and after a 500-ml fluid challenge. Patients were divided into volume responders (increase in stroke volume ? 15%) and non-responders (increase in stroke volume < 15%). We compared the differences in measured variables between responders and non-responders and tested the ability of the indices to predict fluid responsiveness. RESULTS:Thirty-five (50%) patients were fluid responders. Responders presented higher IJVV, IVCV and stroke volume variation (SVV) compared with non-responders at baseline (P < 0.05). The relationship between IJVV and SVV was moderately correlated (r = 0.51, P < 0.01). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for predicting fluid responsiveness were 0.88 (CI 0.78-0.94) for IJVV compared with 0.83 (CI 0.72-0.91), 0.97 (CI 0.89-0.99), 0.91 (CI 0.82-0.97) for IVCV, SVV, and the increase in stroke volume in response to a PLR test, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:Ultrasound-derived IJVV is an accurate, easily acquired noninvasive parameter of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated postoperative cardiac surgery patients, with a performance similar to that of IVCV.
Project description:Introduction:The peripheral internal jugular (IJ), also called the "easy IJ," is an alternative to peripheral venous access reserved for patients with difficult intravenous (IV) access. The procedure involves placing a single-lumen catheter in the IJ vein under ultrasound (US) guidance. As this technique is relatively new, the details regarding the ease of the procedure, how exactly it should be performed, and the safety of the procedure are uncertain. Our primary objective was to determine the success rate for peripheral IJ placement. Secondarily, we evaluated the time needed to complete the procedure and assessed for complications. Methods:This was a prospective, single-center study of US-guided peripheral IJ placement using a 2.5-inch, 18-gauge catheter on a convenience sample of patients with at least two unsuccessful attempts at peripheral IV placement by nursing staff. Peripheral IJ lines were placed by emergency medicine (EM) attending physicians and EM residents who had completed at least five IJ central lines. All physicians who placed lines for the study watched a 15-minute lecture about peripheral IJ technique. A research assistant monitored each line to assess for complications until the patient was discharged. Results:We successfully placed a peripheral IJ in 34 of 35 enrolled patients (97.1%). The median number of attempts required for successful cannulation was one (interquartile range (IQR): 1 to 2). The median time to successful line placement was 3 minutes and 6 seconds (IQR: 59 seconds to 4 minutes and 14 seconds). Two lines failed after placement, and one of the 34 successfully placed peripheral IJ lines (2.9%) had a complication - a local hematoma. There were, however, no arterial punctures or pneumothoraces. Although only eight of 34 lines were placed using sterile attire, there were no line infections. Conclusion:Our research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting US-guided peripheral internal jugular access as a safe and convenient procedure alternative for patients who have difficult IV access.
Project description:BackgroundAntiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is associated with a high incidence of thrombotic events, either arterial thrombosis or venous thrombosis. However, APS-related non-thrombotic venous stenosis is rarely reported.Case presentationThis study described two cases of young women with APS-related internal jugular vein stenosis (IJVS) and reviewed current literature on this issue, including clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment.ConclusionsIJVS is a rather rare complication of APS. Two cases were reported for the first time that high titer of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) might mediate direct vessel wall damage and further induce venous stenosis despite long-term standardized anticoagulation to prevent thrombus formation. Therefore, dynamic monitoring of autoantibodies and concomitant use of anticoagulants and corticosteroids may be necessary to the management of APS and its complications.