Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-dtkg6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-11T15:25:02.821Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Internal jugular vein thrombosis secondary to a permanent cardiac pacemaker: an unusual case of lateral neck swelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2010

C S Arhi
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Luton and Dunstable Hospital Foundation Trust, UK
M A Buchanan
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Luton and Dunstable Hospital Foundation Trust, UK
S A Allen
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Luton and Dunstable Hospital Foundation Trust, UK
J Pickles*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT, Luton and Dunstable Hospital Foundation Trust, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr John Pickles, ENT Department, Luton and Dunstable Hospital Foundation Trust, Lewsey Road, Luton LU4 0DZ, UK. Fax: 01582497277 E-mail: john.pickles@ldh.nhs.uk

Abstract

Objective:

To describe an unusual case of lateral neck swelling in a patient with a permanent cardiac pacemaker.

Case report:

We describe a patient who presented with a painful, lateral neck swelling due to an internal jugular vein thrombus. This thrombus originated from around pacemaker wires in the subclavian vein. This case is unusual, as the vast majority of thromboses in patients with cardiac pacemakers are found in the subclavian vein alone. We also review the literature on the relationship between cardiac pacemakers and internal jugular vein thrombosis, and on the management of the latter.

Conclusion:

Our patient illustrates a rare cause of a painful, lateral neck swelling: an internal jugular vein thrombus secondary to a cardiac pacemaker. Clinicians should be wary of such pathology in similar patients, in order to ensure early treatment and avoidance of complications.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Smith, OD, Ellis, PD, Bearcroft, PW, Berman, LH, Grant, JW, Jani, P. Management of neck lumps – a triage model. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2000;82:223–6Google ScholarPubMed
2 Glosser, JW, Pires, CA, Feinberg, SE. Branchial cleft or cervical lymphoepithelial cysts: etiology and management. J Am Dent Assoc 2003;134:81–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3 Albertyn, LE, Alcock, MK. Diagnosis of internal jugular vein thrombosis. Radiology 1987;162:505–8CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4 Fitzgerald, SP, Leckie, WJ. Thrombosis complicating transvenous pacemaker lead presenting as contralateral internal jugular vein occlusion. Am Heart J 1985;109:593–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Girard, DE, Reuler, JB, Mayer, BS, Nardone, DA, Jendrzejewski, J. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to indwelling transvenous pacemaker catheter. Arch Neurol 1980;37:113–14CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6 Hadijihannas, E, Kesse, KW, d'E Meredith, AP. Thrombosis of internal jugular vein associated with acute parotitis. J Laryngol Otol 2000;114:721–3Google Scholar
7 Kroger, K, Gocke, C, Schelo, C, Hinrichs, A, Rudofsky, G. Association of subclavian and jugular vein thrombosis: color Doppler sonographic evaluation. Angiology 1998;49:189–91CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8 Leontsinis, TG, Currie, AR, Mannell, A. Internal jugular vein thrombosis following functional neck dissection. Laryngoscope 1995;105:169–74CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 Chowdhury, K, Bloom, J, Black, MJ, al-Noury, K. Spontaneous and nonspontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis. Head Neck 1990;12:168–73CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10 Wing, V, Scheible, W. Sonography of jugular vein thrombosis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1983;140:333–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11 De Sena, S, Rosenfeld, DL, Santos, S, Keller, I. Jugular thrombophlebitis complicating bacterial pharyngitis (Lemierre's syndrome). Pediatr Radiol 1996;26:141–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12 Martinelli, I, Cattaneo, M, Panzeri, D, Taioli, E, Mannucci, PM. Risk factors for deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremities. Ann Intern Med 1997;126:707–11CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13 Ascher, E, Salles-Cunha, S, Hingorani, A. Morbidity and mortality associated with internal jugular vein thromboses. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2005;39:335–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14 Stoney, WS, Addlestone, RB, Alford, WC Jr, Burrus, GR, Frist, RA, Thomas, CS Jr. The incidence of venous thrombosis following long-term transvenous pacing. Ann Thorac Surg 1976;22:166–70CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15 Lemierre, A. On certain septicaemias due to anaerobic organisms. Lancet 1936;i:701–3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16 Hubsch, PJ, Stiglbauer, RL, Schwaighofer, BW. Internal jugular and subclavian vein thrombosis caused by central venous catheters. Evaluation using Doppler blood flow imaging. J Ultrasound Med 1988;7:629–36CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17 Eltrafi, A, Currie, P, Silas, JH. Permanent pacemaker insertion in a district general hospital: indications, patient characteristics, and complications. Postgrad Med J 2000;76:337–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18 Lee, ME, Chaux, A. Unusual complications of endocardial pacing. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1980;80:934–40CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19 Gutteridge, IF, Royle, JP, Cockburn, DM. Spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis and venous-stasis retinopathy. Stroke 1987;18:808–11CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20 Prescott, SM, Tikoff, G. Deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity: a reappraisal. Circulation 1979;59:350–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21 Sakakibara, Y, Shigeta, O, Ishikawa, S, Hiramatsu, Y, Jikuya, T, Onizuka, M et al. Upper extremity vein thrombosis: etiologic categories, precipitating causes, and management. Angiology 1999;50:547–53CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed