Internal jugular phlebectasia.

BACKGROUND: Anterior neck mass which appears on straining should be differentiated from laryngocele, jugular venous system phlebectasia and superior mediastinal cysts or masses. Internal jugular phlebectasia is a fusiform dilatation of the internal jugular vein.
PURPOSE: this is an attempt to elucidate the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and review of the literature about this rare venous lesion.
METHODS: an 11 year old boy presented with soft neck swelling on the right side which appeared on straining. The diagnosis was confirmed on the bases of ultrasonography combined with Doppler flow imaging and spiral computerized tomography scan with contrast. The patient was treated conservatively and followed up for 21 months without any changes.
CONCLUSION: internal jugular phlebectasia is a rare disease, which mostly involves the right side. It is usually a childhood disease and believed to be of congenital origin. It can occur at any age and affects both genders. Nevertheless no single case was reported in a young adult male. The diagnosis was made on a clinical basis and confirmed by less invasive radiologic technique. The investigations of choice are Doppler ultrasonography and spiral computerized tomography scan with contrast. Even though most of these lesions have been excised surgically, the treatment of choice should be conservative as long as it is asymptomatic.