Anatomical CT study of brachiocephalic vein

Objective To investigate the anatomical difference on CT between left and right brachiocephalic vein.Methods Sixty chests examining on plain and enhanced CT without disease in mediastinum,superior clavicle and axillary fossa were analyzed retrospectively.Including that the configuration and short diameter of left and right brachiocephalic vein were observed,the information of the injection site and the venous regurgitation was recorded.Results Right brachiocephalic veins were short and straight,and were directly downward to superior vena cava(100%,60/60).The left brachiocephalic veins were long,crossing the right brachiocephalic artery at 86.7 %(52/60),and crossing aortic arch in 13.3%(8/60).The caliber of left brachiocephalic vein was less than right's,which had lumen stenosis in 26.7%,and 8.3% with venous regurgitation when injected in left superior extremitic vein.There were no venous regurgitation in right brachiocephalic vein.Conclusion Right brachiocephalic vein is short,straight and no venous regurgitation after injection,its lumen is larger than left's,then it would have better effective enhance by injecting right superior extremitic vein.