A case of external jugular venous aneurysm

Abstract

The patient was a 31-year-old man with a right neck mass that had persisted for four to five years, but which had grown in the two weeks prior to his presentation. We diagnosed a venous aneurysm originating from the external jugular vein based on the results of ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced CT, and MRI. We also thought that a thrombus might have formed inside. Surgery was performed with consideration of the patient's appearance and the risk of pulmonary embolism. The mass was actually filled with a thrombus. Venous aneurysm is a relatively rare cause of neck masses. Although there are few reports related to the head and neck, the most important complication is that an internal thrombus causes pulmonary embolism. If a soft neck mass is found, as in this case, it is necessary to confirm the blood flow in the mass and the positional relationship between the mass and the blood vessels, with consideration of the risk of rupture and thrombus formation due to puncture.