AIR BUBBLES IN THE SUBCLAVIAN OR INTERNAL JUGULAR VEINS - A COMMON FINDING ON CONTRAST-ENHANCED CT

We investigated the frequency of air bubbles in the subclavian (SCV) o r internal jugular (IJV) vein in 200 patients who underwent contrast-e nhanced CT of the head and neck, Half the patients were reviewed retro spectively (group 1), while the other half were investigated prospecti vely after the radiologists who administered the contrast medium were instructed to be careful not to inject even a single air bubble during the procedure (group 2). Air bubbles were observed in the SCV or IJV in 15 of the 100 patients in group 1, while in group 2, there were 4 s uch patients. Air injection, a common ''complication'', can be reduced by carl during the procedure.