Disruption of the internal jugular vein by subcutaneous emphysema.

A woman in her 80s was taken to the hospital after falling off a ladder and underwent a contrast-enhanced CT scan, which revealed disruption of the contrast effect in the right internal jugular vein, with multiple rib fractures and haemopneumothorax. Following reduction of the subcutaneous emphysema with treatment, the diameter of her right internal jugular vein enlarged over time, becoming equal to that on the contralateral side. It is important to diagnose compression of the internal jugular vein due to subcutaneous emphysema, because the treatment strategy varies according to the aetiology.