Flowreversal in the left internal jugular vein due to a prominent brachiocephalic trunk: A case report

TL;DR

A rare case of reversed blood flow in a jugular vein caused by a prominent artery is reported, leading to headaches and hearing loss.

Contribution

This is a novel case report linking a prominent brachiocephalic trunk to flow reversal in the left internal jugular vein.

Findings

Flow reversal in the left internal jugular vein was caused by a prominent brachiocephalic trunk.

Compensatory dilation of the right internal jugular vein occurred due to the flow reversal.

The case highlights vascular anomalies as a rare cause of non-specific symptoms like chronic headache and hearing loss.

Abstract

Reversal of blood flow has only been reported in the left internal jugular vein following interventions such as central venous catheter, dialysis shunt placement, or external compression from a tumor. We describe a rare case of chronic headache and hearing loss due to flow reversal in the left internal jugular vein and compensatory massive dilation of the right internal jugular vein. Flow reversal was caused by a prominent brachiocephalic trunk with subseqent compression of the vena brachiocephalica sinistra. Vascular anomalies and associated venous bypass circulation may be considered as a rare cause of non-specific malaise. Restoration of the physiological direction of blood flow should be discussed on an interdisciplinary basis given the unpredictable haemodynamic consequences.

Image, graphical abstract

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