Abstract
We encountered a rare case of bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis associated with lung cancer. A 66-year-old man was transferred to our hospital with a diagnosis of bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis and lung cancer. He had complained of severe headache and facial edema. We therefore planned emergency thrombectomy in addition to the intravenous administration of anticoagulants. A thrombus was noted, extending from the bilateral internal jugular vein to the superior vena cava. To avoid intraoperative pulmonary thromboembolism, we selected direct clamping of the superior vena cava via a median sternotomy, followed by thrombectomy using an Argyle® suction tube. Immediately after the procedure, a temporary vena cava filter was placed in the superior vena cava via the femoral vein, because a residual thrombus of the right internal jugular vein was detected on ultrasonography. We continued anticoagulation for 3 months, and the thrombus disappeared completely.
