Dysphagia because of unilateral internal jugular vein phlebectasia in an infant

Abstract

Phlebectasia affecting the internal jugular vein is a rare cause of a benign neck swelling in children. They are mostly asymptomatic and therefore managed conservatively. Ligation of the vein and excision is usually avoided owing to the worry of raised intracranial pressure. We report a case of a large right internal jugular vein phlebectasia, causing dysphagia in a 7month old male child. Contrast enhanced computed tomography with 3-D reconstruction helped in pre-operative anatomical delineation, especially of the lower extent. It was excised through a cervico-thoracic approach with postoperative amelioration of symptoms. Contrary to expectation, the ectasia was not friable and was covered with a pseudocapsule of fibrofatty tissue, making excision easy.