TYK77
Which of the following statements is correct concerning anatomic variation of major vessels in the pediatric patient as demonstrated by ultrasound?
A. Internal jugular vein (IJV) variations exist in 7.7 % of pediatric patients
B. The most common femoral vein (FV) variation is a posterior-lateral position in respect to the femoral artery.
C. The highest incidence of variation exists with the subclavian vein (when compared to the FV and IJV)
D. The IJV will lay MEDIAL to the carotid artery in 6.5% of patients.
Answer
The answer is A.
This question derives from an article in the BJA. In this study, the authors found a variation in the "normal" anatomy of the IJV in 7.7% of patients. The most common variations were a lateral or anterior position of the IJ in respect to the carotid artery. The femoral vein had variations in 9.8% of all pediatric patients. The most common FV variation was that the FV ran anteromedially to the femoral artery. Variations in the subclavian vein occurred in 7.4% of patients. The most common SC variation was one in which the SC vein rain medially to the subclavian artery.[1].