Atypical location of the hypoglossal nerve and its implications: a case report

Introduction Successful surgery in the neck is dependent on reliable anatomical relationships between nerves, vessels, and muscles. These landmarks and planes are also essential to avoiding undue morbidity and mortality. Anatomic variants of the hypoglossal nerve are rare, and their incidences are u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Surgical and radiologic anatomy (English ed.) 2016-09, Vol.38 (7), p.863-865
Main Authors: Rohlfing, Matthew L., Waltonen, Joshua D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomic Variations
Anatomy
Anatomy & physiology
Female
Head
Humans
Hypoglossal Nerve - abnormalities
Imaging
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Middle Aged
Neck
Neck Dissection
Nervous system
Orthopedics
Radiology
Surgery
Thyroidectomy
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Summary:Introduction Successful surgery in the neck is dependent on reliable anatomical relationships between nerves, vessels, and muscles. These landmarks and planes are also essential to avoiding undue morbidity and mortality. Anatomic variants of the hypoglossal nerve are rare, and their incidences are unknown. Methods We describe a case of a hypoglossal nerve found coursing superficial to the internal jugular vein in a 52-year-old woman treated with bilateral selective neck dissection for metastatic thyroid malignancy. Results The vulnerable nerve was protected, and she maintained excellent speech and swallow function post-operatively. Conclusions The variant course of the nerve may pose higher risk for injury in neck surgery. Surgeons should be aware of the possibility of aberrant anatomy in this region and exercise extra caution to avoid nerve injury.
ISSN:0930-1038
1279-8517
DOI:10.1007/s00276-015-1613-6