Position of the internal jugular vein in children. A study of the anatomy using ultrasonography

The relative anatomy of the internal jugular vein (ITV) was studied in 25 p atients undergoing cardiac catheterization under general anaesthesia, with the use of a portable ultrasound probe. In 14 of cases the IJV was anterior , 1 anterolateral and in 10 lateral to the carotid artery between the two h eads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. At the level of the cricoid cartila ge, in six cases the IJV was anterior, three anterolateral and in 16 of chi ldren the IJV was lateral to the carotid artery. When attempting to cannula te the IJV, because of the variability in relationship of the IJV to CA the technique used should be modified depending upon the level at which cannul ation is attempted. The position of the IJV in the child appears to be so v ariable extra care should be taken when cannulating the IJV and it should n ot be assumed that the techniques used in adults are directly transferable.