Factors causing loss of normal Doppler waveform of the left internal jugular vein: evaluation on chest computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence and causes of left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) steno-occlusive lesions in patients with loss of normal waveform in Doppler ultrasound of the left internal jugular vein (LIJV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed Doppler ultrasound of both internal jugular veins in 1912 patients who received an implantable venous access port from August 2013 to January 2016. Among them, 106 patients showed loss of normal Doppler waveforms of the LIJV (56 men and 50 women; mean age, 61.4 ± 11.6 years). We retrospectively analyzed the presence and causes of the LBCV steno-occlusive lesions on contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) images.

RESULTS: LBCV steno-occlusive lesions were present in 82 patients (77.4%). The causes of these lesions were anatomic structures (n = 70, 85.4%), tumorous lesions (n = 11, 13.4%), and thrombus (n = 1, 1.2%). The anterior anatomic structures to the LBCV causing stenosis were bony structures (n = 50), right upper lobe (n = 11), and mediastinal fat (n = 9). The posterior anatomic structures to the LBCV resulting in stenosis were right brachiocephalic artery (n = 58), left common carotid artery (n = 7), and aortic arch (n = 5). The tumorous lesions resulting in stenosis were mediastinal lymph node (n = 5), thymic lesions (n = 3), lymphoma (n = 1), lung cancer (n = 1), and bone tumor (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to suspect steno-occlusive lesion of the LBCV from various causes and to use caution when performing central venous catheterization in cases with loss of a normal Doppler waveform.