| Abstract: | We encountered two patients with abnormal dilatation of the internal jugular vein. We found thatthe wall of the internal jugular vein was thinneddue to marked decrease or even absence of smoothmuscle, and the venous lumen became dilated whenthe venous pressure was elevated; eventually, thevein remained dilated. Cystic bulging usually ap-peared quickly when the venous pressure increasedsuddenly during breath-holding. This disease shouldbe differentiated from laryngocele, pharyngeal pouch,omohyoid muscle syndrome, dilatation of the pyri-form sinus, and pleural hernia. |
