Internal jugular vein thrombosis after cervical traction.

A clinically and roentgenographically typical case of internal jugular vein thrombosis is presented in a patient having undergone repeated sessions of Glisson traction for neck and backache. In this mode of therapy, axial traction is applied to the neck by attaching a weight, via a pulley, to a construction of straps encompassing the head. This particular trauma to the neck has not previously been described to be associated with spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis.