PURPOSE: Internal jugular vein (IJV) narrowing superiorly is likely relatively frequent. IJV narrowing has been proposed as a potential pathophysiologic component for multiple sclerosis (MS). Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence of incidental superior IJV narrowing in patients imaged with neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) for reasons unrelated to IJV pathology or MS. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 164 consecutive adult patients who had undergone neck CTA in which at least one IJV superior segment was opacified (158 right, 155 left IJVs). At the narrowest point of the upper IJV, each IJV was assessed for dominance, graded (shape and narrowing), measured (diameter and area), and located (axially and craniocaudally). Associations were analyzed using Spearman rank correlations (p < 0.05 significant). Medical records were reviewed for MS. RESULTS: Among 164 patients, at least one IJV was: absent/pinpoint in 15 % (25/164), occluded/nearly occluded in 26 % (43/164). Shape, narrowing, and the three measurements all correlated with each other (all p < 0.01). Lateral location with respect to C1 transverse foramen correlated with subjectively and objectively smaller IJVs (p < 0.01). The most common craniocaudal location was at the C1 transverse process (79 % (125/158) of right and 81 % (126/155) of left IJVs). No patient had a diagnosis of MS. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of the superior IJV is variable, with an occlusive/near-occlusive appearance present in approximately one-quarter of patients without known MS undergoing CTA. Radiologists should be aware of and cautious to report or ascribe clinical significance to this frequent anatomic variant.
PURPOSE: Internal jugular vein (IJV) narrowing superiorly is likely relatively frequent. IJV narrowing has been proposed as a potential pathophysiologic component for multiple sclerosis (MS). Our purpose was to investigate the prevalence of incidental superior IJV narrowing in patients imaged with neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) for reasons unrelated to IJV pathology or MS. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 164 consecutive adult patients who had undergone neck CTA in which at least one IJV superior segment was opacified (158 right, 155 left IJVs). At the narrowest point of the upper IJV, each IJV was assessed for dominance, graded (shape and narrowing), measured (diameter and area), and located (axially and craniocaudally). Associations were analyzed using Spearman rank correlations (p < 0.05 significant). Medical records were reviewed for MS. RESULTS: Among 164 patients, at least one IJV was: absent/pinpoint in 15 % (25/164), occluded/nearly occluded in 26 % (43/164). Shape, narrowing, and the three measurements all correlated with each other (all p < 0.01). Lateral location with respect to C1 transverse foramen correlated with subjectively and objectively smaller IJVs (p < 0.01). The most common craniocaudal location was at the C1 transverse process (79 % (125/158) of right and 81 % (126/155) of left IJVs). No patient had a diagnosis of MS. CONCLUSIONS: The appearance of the superior IJV is variable, with an occlusive/near-occlusive appearance present in approximately one-quarter of patients without known MS undergoing CTA. Radiologists should be aware of and cautious to report or ascribe clinical significance to this frequent anatomic variant.
Authors: R A McTaggart; N J Fischbein; C J Elkins; A Hsiao; M J Cutalo; J Rosenberg; M D Dake; G Zaharchuk Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2012-04-19 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: R Zivadinov; R Galeotti; D Hojnacki; E Menegatti; M G Dwyer; C Schirda; A M Malagoni; K Marr; C Kennedy; I Bartolomei; C Magnano; F Salvi; B Weinstock-Guttman; P Zamboni Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2011-04-07 Impact factor: 3.825
Authors: Robert Zivadinov; Alexandra Lopez-Soriano; Bianca Weinstock-Guttman; Claudiu V Schirda; Christopher R Magnano; Kresimir Dolic; Cheryl L Kennedy; Christina L Brooks; Justine A Reuther; Kristin Hunt; Michelle Andrews; Michael G Dwyer; David W Hojnacki Journal: Radiology Date: 2010-12-21 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Kenneth D Mandato; Paul F Hegener; Gary P Siskin; Ziv J Haskal; Meridith J Englander; Sreenivas Garla; Nancy Mitchell; Laura Reutzel; Christopher Doti Journal: J Vasc Interv Radiol Date: 2011-11-15 Impact factor: 3.464
Authors: P Zamboni; R Galeotti; E Menegatti; A M Malagoni; G Tacconi; S Dall'Ara; I Bartolomei; F Salvi Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2008-12-05 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Alba Scerrati; Nicoló Norri; Lorenzo Mongardi; Flavia Dones; Luca Ricciardi; Gianluca Trevisi; Erica Menegatti; Paolo Zamboni; Michele Alessandro Cavallo; Pasquale De Bonis Journal: Ann Transl Med Date: 2021-04