International Journal of Head and Neck Surgery

Register      Login

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

FIND ARTICLE

Volume / Issue

Online First

Archive
Volume  13 (2022)
Volume  12 (2021)
Volume  11 (2020)
Volume  10 (2019)
Volume  9 (2018)
Volume  8 (2017)
Volume  7 (2016)
Volume  6 (2015)
Volume  5 (2014)
Volume  4 (2013)
Volume  3 (2012)
Volume  2 (2011)
Volume  1 (2010)
Related articles

VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 2 ( May-August, 2011 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

A Rare Anatomical Relationship of Spinal Accessory Nerve to Internal Jugular Vein

Prahlad Duggal, Amit Dhawan, Sumeet Sandhu

Citation Information : Duggal P, Dhawan A, Sandhu S. A Rare Anatomical Relationship of Spinal Accessory Nerve to Internal Jugular Vein. Int J Head Neck Surg 2011; 2 (2):119-120.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10001-1064

Published Online: 01-08-2011

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2011; The Author(s).


Abstract

A patient with a squamous cell carcinoma of right retromolar area of the mandible and undergoing a staging neck dissection was noted to have a unique relationship of the internal jugular vein and spinal accessory nerve. At the upper end of the dissection (level II, Memorial Sloan-Kettering classification), the spinal accessory nerve was observed to pass directly through the internal jugular vein. Although previously described only once in the literature, this finding may be encountered by other surgeons who operate in this area and it is important that these anatomical variations are borne in mind to prevent inadvertent injury. To our knowledge, this must be the first case reported from India.

PDF Share
  1. Shoulder and neck morbidity in quality of life after surgery for head and neck cancer. Head Neck 2004;26:839-44.
  2. Functional evaluation of the spinal accessory nerve after neck dissection. Am J Surg 1983;136:526-30.
  3. Anatomic relationship between the spinal accessory nerve and internal jugular vein in the upper neck. Otolaryngol Head and Neck Surgery 2010;143:239-41.
  4. Anatomic variations of the spinal accessory nerve and its relevance to level IIb lymph nodes. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2009;141:639-44.
  5. A technique to identify and preserve the spinal accessory nerve during neck dissection. J Laryngol Otol 2006;120:494-96.
  6. Neck dissections. In: Myers EN, Carrua RL, Cass SP (Eds). Operative otolaryngology: Head and neck surgery (1st ed). Philadelphia: Elsevier WB Saunders Company 1997:676-18.
  7. Anatomy of the accessory nerve and its cervical contributions in the neck. Head and Neck Surg 1986;9:111-15.
  8. Anatomical variations of the spinal accessory nerve and its relevance to level IIb lymph nodes. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2009;141:639-44.
  9. Anatomy for surgeons. In: The head and neck (3rd ed). Philadelphia: Harper & Row 1982;1:497-98.
  10. Surgical anatomy of the spinal accessory nerve and the trapezius branches of the cervical plexus. Arch Surg 2000;135:1428-31.
PDF Share
PDF Share

© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.