Jugular Vein Thrombosis Associated with Salivary Gland Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study from the University Clinical Center of Prishtina

Introduction: Jugular vein thrombosis (JVT) associated with salivary gland carcinoma is a rare clinical finding that may complicate diagnostic evaluation and surgical planning. Current evidence is largely limited to isolated case reports. Objective: To describe the prevalence of jugular vein thrombosis in patients surgically treated for salivary gland carcinoma and to explore its association with clinical, surgical, and histopathological characteristics. Methods: A retrospective single-center study was conducted, including 30 patients who underwent primary surgical treatment for salivary gland carcinoma between 2022 and 2025 in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic, in the University Clinical Center of Kosovo. Demographic data, surgical procedures, histopathological findings, and the presence of JVT were reviewed. All patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the neck as part of routine preoperative staging; Doppler ultrasound was performed selectively when clinically indicated. Statistical analysis was descriptive and exploratory. Results: Jugular vein thrombosis was identified preoperatively in 5 patients (16.6%). All cases were radiologically consistent with bland thrombosis, without imaging features suggestive of intraluminal tumor invasion. Patients with JVT were older than those without JVT (mean age 67 vs. 57 years), although this difference was not statistically significant. No significant associations were observed between JVT and tumor histology or demographic variables. Conclusion: Jugular vein thrombosis was an uncommon but notable finding in this surgical cohort of salivary gland carcinoma patients. Although no statistically significant associations were identified, awareness of potential venous thrombosis during preoperative imaging may be clinically valuable. Larger studies are needed to clarify the clinical relevance of JVT in this setting.