Letter to the Editor

Variations of Jugular Veins: Phylogenic Correlation and Clinical Implications

Authors: R Prakash, L V. Prabhu, J Kumar, V Nayak, G Singh

Abstract

Anatomic anomalies are supported by an underlying embryological basis and manifest their clinical impact. The external jugular vein is used as venous manometer, while both the external and internal jugular veins are used for IV catheterization to conduct diagnostic procedures or IV therapies. The variations are important for interventional radiologists who perform transjugular procedures, such as port implantations and the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or selective venous blood samplings in patients with hyperparathyroidism of unknown origin.1

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References

1. Sugg SL, Fraker DL, Alexander R, et al. Prospective evaluation of selective venous sampling for parathyroid hormone concentration in patients undergoing reoperations for primary hyperparathyroidism.Surgery 1993;114:1004–1010.
 
2. Hollinshead WH. Anatomy for Surgeons: The Head and Neck, 3rd ed. New York, Harper and Row Publishers, 1982, pp 467–469.
 
3. Yadav S, Ghosh SK, Anand C. Variations of superficial veins of head and neck. Anat Soc India2000;49:61–62.
 
4. Arey LB. Developmental Anatomy. 7th ed. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1974, pp 364–365.
 
5. Gupta V, Tuli A, Choudhry R et al. Facial vein draining into external jugular vein in humans: its variations, phylogenetic retention and clinical relevance. Surg Radiol Anat 2003;25:36–41.