Traumatic Dissection of Subclavian Vein

Abstract

Dissection of veins is very rarely reported, of which inferior vena cava (IVC) dissection had been found or documented in a few articles or journals. Their occurrence is less due to the particular anatomy and physiology of the veins. Veins are not as rigid or strong as their arterial counterparts. More than this, inherent low pressure inside their lumens prevent dissections. Usually documented situations were low-speed motor vehicular accidents and bullet shot wounds, where the shot doesn't care for the target. The stretch and the breadth of IVC are prominent and in most of the cases, the target is IVC itself. Other long and prominent veins like jugular, brachiocephalic, superior vena cava and subclavians are also susceptible, but documentation is quite few.