Reproducibility of ultrasonographic measures in interval jugular veins of normal subjects

Objective: To assess the reproducibility of ultrasonographic quantitative p arameters of internal jugular veins (IJV) in normal subjects. Material and methods: Thirty IJV of 15 normal volunteers were prospectively evaluated by means of duplex Doppler ultrasonography (US). Patency, presence of thrombo sis, characteristics of the vein wall, compressibility, area of vein both i n rest and during Valsalva maneuver, expiratory flow speed, Valsalva flow s peed, jugular flow in each side, and total jugular flow were registered in all cases. Two measures were performed in each subject. Results: High repro ducibility was encountered in jugular flow (R = 0.95) and in area during Va lsalva (R = 0.90) in the left IJV. Low reproducibility, was found in Valsal va flow speed of the left side (R = 0.35). The remaining measurements had a good reproducibility (R = 0.50-0.75). Conclusions: The ultrasonographic pa rameters of IJV in normal subjects show an adequate grade of reproducibilit y. Thus, duplex Doppler US can be used as a reliable method for evaluation or comparison of IJV in different situations of future studies. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.