What is internal jugular vein stenosis (IJVS) and why does Beijing Shijitan come up for it?
IJVS is a narrowing of the internal jugular vein that can obstruct venous blood draining from the brain. It often produces non-specific symptoms — head-noise or pulsatile tinnitus, dizziness, headache, visual or hearing disturbance, poor sleep and brain-fog — so it is frequently missed. A common cause is compression of the vein by the transverse process of the atlas (the C1 vertebra). Beijing Shijitan Hospital's neurosurgery department runs a dedicated IJVS programme and has published clinical research on treating it surgically.
How is IJVS treated?
Depending on the cause and severity, options include surgical decompression — resecting the C1 (atlas) transverse process to relieve external compression and restore venous outflow — or endovascular stenting of the narrowed segment. The right approach is a clinical decision the hospital's doctors make after reviewing your imaging (MRV / CTV / DSA) and symptoms. China MedPass does not make clinical judgements; we coordinate the consultation and translate the findings.
How does Beijing Shijitan confirm whether the vein is actually compressed?
A distinctive part of the department's workup is high-resolution CT venography (CTV), which clearly shows the exact site and degree of compression on the cervical / internal jugular vein — for example where the C1 (atlas) transverse process presses on it. This imaging is what lets the surgeons judge whether the narrowing is compressive and whether decompression is likely to help, rather than treating on symptoms alone.
What is the decompression surgery and recovery like?
The atlas transverse-process decompression is minimally invasive: the incision is usually only about 2–3 cm. Patients are typically in hospital for around one week, and a private special-care (特需) room can be arranged. Exact surgical suitability, technique and recovery are decided by the hospital's neurosurgeons for your individual case; China MedPass coordinates the logistics and the English report.
Roughly how much does the IJVS decompression surgery cost?
As a guide, the routine all-in hospital cost for the decompression procedure is typically around ¥50,000 RMB (roughly US$7,000) — covering the surgery and the usual one-week inpatient stay — but this is an indication only and depends on your clinical situation, the room class and length of stay. The hospital confirms the figure in a written estimate before you travel. This is the hospital's fee, separate from our coordination fee (from $250); China MedPass does not set, mark up or guarantee any hospital fee.
Can international patients get an IJVS opinion here?
Yes. We arrange a neurosurgery consultation and organise review of your existing neck-vein and brain imaging, with bilingual escort through the visit. If you have not yet been imaged, we can coordinate MRV / CTV so the team has what it needs to assess whether stenosis is present and whether it is compressive.
Will I get an English report?
Yes. Every consultation or imaging review we coordinate includes a structured English report — typically within 48 hours of imaging or 3–5 working days of a specialist consultation — with a physician signature. We also collect your DICOM files so your home doctor can re-read the images.
What records should I prepare for an IJVS assessment?
Bring any prior brain and neck-vein imaging as both reports and original DICOM (MRV, CTV, MRI, carotid/jugular ultrasound, or DSA if done), a dated symptom timeline (head-noise, dizziness, tinnitus, cognitive change), and your current medication list. This makes the surgical opinion far more useful; acceptance and all clinical decisions rest with the hospital.
Is Beijing Shijitan only a neurosurgery hospital?
No — it is a large Grade 3A general hospital whose designated key specialties include oncology (medical oncology and gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and peritoneal tumour surgery), lymphatic surgery, allergy and immunology, and gastroenterology. Its overall strategic focus is oncology, so it is also a reasonable choice for a Beijing cancer second opinion.
How much does coordination at Beijing Shijitan cost?
Our coordination fee starts from $250 (case review, hospital booking, bilingual escort and the English report). Hospital fees — consultation, imaging, and any procedure or surgery — are paid directly to the hospital and depend on the services rendered; we provide a written estimate before you travel. China MedPass does not set, mark up or guarantee any hospital fee.
Is China MedPass part of the hospital?
No. China MedPass is an independent coordination service. We are not affiliated with, employed by, or an official representative of Beijing Shijitan Hospital or its doctors. The hospital's licensed physicians make all clinical decisions; we handle bilingual coordination, imaging review logistics and the English report.
