Unilateral Fenestration of Internal Jugular Vein With a Radiological Clue: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

The intricacies of human anatomy continue to astound, as underscored by this unusual case of a 45-year-old female patient who presented to our esteemed otolaryngology department with T3N1MO squamous cell carcinoma of the lip. The preoperative diagnostic imaging of this patient divulged an enigmatic venous anomaly involving the internal jugular vein (IJV). Our team meticulously orchestrated a wide local excision of the primary tumor and modified radical neck dissection with Abbe Estlander flap reconstruction. Identification of the anomaly during the preoperative phase helped in meticulous planning and preparation. Thus, the surgical team was well-prepared for neck dissection and successfully navigated the rare IJV fenestration without incurring nerve or vascular injuries. This remarkable case accentuates the importance of maintaining a profound understanding of potential anatomical aberrations while performing intricate surgical procedures such as neck dissections. Heightened awareness can circumvent inadvertent damage to critical structures, ultimately safeguarding patient well-being. In this captivating report, we explain the preoperative suspicion, intraoperative identification, and subsequent outcome of a rare fenestration of the IJV encountered during a challenging neck dissection.