A rare presentation of mediastinal lymphoma: Upper airway obstruction and internal jugular vein thrombosis

Abstract

Internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis is a rare disease, and is usually encountered in intravenous drug users, prolonged central venous catheterization, deep seated head and neck infections or trauma. Associated malignancies are uncommon, and not well documented in the etiology of IJV thrombosis. A 39 year old woman presented to the Emergency Room with heavy vaginal bleeding secondary to uterine fibroids. She developed symptoms of upper airway obstruction while in the hospital. Ultrasound (U/S) and neck computerized tomography (CT) revealed a sizeable mass in the lower neck region and left internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJV). Management difficulties with neck mass and internal jugular vein (IJV) thrombosis is discussed along with review of literature.