N. Van Den Noortgate et al., Spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis: Primary manifestation of a colorectal adenocarcinoma in a very old woman, ACT CLIN B, 55(2), 2000, pp. 94-96
We report the history of a very old woman with a spontaneous internal jugul
ar vein thrombosis as the presenting feature of an occult adenocarcinoma of
the caecum.
Spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis is an unusual form of venous t
hrombosis. Doppler ultrasound and Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance
Imaging should confirm signs and symptoms suggesting thrombosis. Immediate
anticoagulation with heparin followed by oral anticoagulation is mandatory
to reduce associated mortality and morbidity. If no risk factors for inter
nal jugular vein thrombosis are present, a work-up for hypercoagulable stat
es and a careful search for distant malignancy should been obtained. If scr
eening shows no obvious malignancy, further follow-up is necessary.