We present three cases of duplicated or fenestrated internal jugular veins in patients undergoing neck dissection, including the first known case of concomitant bovine aortic arch. The prevalence of this anomaly is 1.0% (three out of 295 patients). Internal jugular vein duplication and fenestration may risk iatrogenic injury to the vasculature and spinal accessory nerve during neck dissection. The existence of this anatomic abnormality should be considered when variation of the internal jugular vein is encountered. The objective of this report is to discuss the presentation, clinical implications, and literature pertaining to internal jugular vein duplication and fenestration. Laryngoscope, 126:1585-1588, 2016.
Keywords: Internal jugular vein; anatomical variant; duplication; fenestration; neck dissection; spinal accessory nerve.
© 2015 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.