scholarly journals The Rare Coincidence: Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve Pointed by a Zuckerkandl's Tubercle

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emin Gurleyik ◽  
Sami Dogan ◽  
Omer Gunal ◽  
Mevlut Pehlivan

The safety of thyroid operations mainly depends on complete anatomical knowledge. Anatomical and embryological variations of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN), of the thyroid gland itself and unusual relations between ILN and the gland threaten operation security are discussed. The patient with toxic multinodular goiter is treated with total thyroidectomy. During dissection of the right lobe, the right ILN which has nonrecurrent course arising directly from cervical vagus nerve is identified and fully isolated until its laryngeal entry. At the operation, we observe bilateral Zuckerkandl's tubercles (ZTs) as posterior extension of both lateral lobes. The left ILN has usual recurrent course in the trachea-esophageal groove. The right ZT is placed between upper and middle third of the lobe points the nonrecurrent ILN. The coincidence of non-recurrent ILN pointed by a ZT is rare anatomical and embryological feature of this case. Based on anatomical and embryological variations, we suggest identification and full exposure of ILN before attempting excision of adjacent structures, like the ZT which has surgical importance for completeness of thyroidectomy.

Author(s):  
E. Sivakumar ◽  
C. A. Swapna ◽  
Lavanya Karanam

<p>Thyroidectomy is one of the most dispute and discussed surgery. Identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve is the most important step in this surgery. Among postop complications of thyroidectomy, the commoner is haematoma, transient hypocalcaemia and hoarseness.<strong> </strong>We report a rare case of nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve in a 25-year-old male with swelling in the right thyroid lobe. A 25-year-old male presented to the ENT OPD with complaints of swelling in thyroid region for 6 months with no other symptoms. On examination there was a 2×3 cm size nodule in the right lobe of thyroid. Rest of ORL examination was normal. On ultrasonogram there was an enlarged right lobe of thyroid with a nodular goitre. Fine needle aspiration cytology showed colloid goitre. Patient was planned for right hemithyroidectomy. Right side type 1 nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was identified at the level of superior pole of thyroid branching from vagus and entering the larynx at the level of cricothyroid joint was identified intraoperatively.<strong> </strong>In conclusion, nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve though a very rare anomaly forms a crucial anatomical structure in thyroid surgery and is prone to injury. It is one of the preventable complications during thyroid surgery leading to postop vocal cord palsy. An in-depth anatomical knowledge and diligent surgical technique will help in identification and preservation of nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Maria Amadei ◽  
Christopher Fabbri ◽  
Marco Trebbi

We report the case of a patient submitted to a right hemithyroidectomy for a follicular adenoma, when we found a nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve. This is a really rare anatomical presentation that can seriously compromise the integrity and preservation of the inferior laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery. We describe how we found and managed this anatomical variant and we conduct a review of the most recent Literature about nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3469
Author(s):  
Shah Urvin Manish ◽  
Boopathi Subbarayan ◽  
Saravanakumar Subbaraj ◽  
Tirou Aroul Tirougnanassambandamourty ◽  
S. Robinson Smile

The incidence of Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) is reported to be 0.6%-0.8% on the right side and in 0.004% on the left side. Damage to this nerve during thyroidectomy may lead to vocal cord complications and should therefore be prevented. A middle-aged woman with a nodular goiter who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy for multinodular colloid goiter. We encountered a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve on the right side in a patient during surgery. We were not able to find the inferior laryngeal nerve in its usual position using the customary anatomical landmarks. Instead, it was emerging directly from the right vagus nerve at a right angle and entering the larynx as a unique non-bifurcating nerve. Nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve incidence is very rare, but when present, increases the risk of damage during thyroidectomy. Hence, it is very important to be aware of the anatomical variations of the inguinal lymph node (ILN) and the use of safe meticulous dissection while looking for the nerve during thyroidectomy. The use of Intra-operative neuro-monitoring (IONM) if available in thyroid surgery allows the surgeon to recognize and differentiate branches of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) from sympathetic anastomoses, as well as NRLN during surgery.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158
Author(s):  
Blás Antonio Medina-Ruíz ◽  
Marta Osorio-Fleitas ◽  
María Belen Persano ◽  
Héctor Ricardo Dami ◽  
Ricardo Blasdimir Vega ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emin Gurleyik ◽  
Gunay Gurleyik

Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (non-RLN) is an anatomical variation increasing the risk of vocal cord palsy. Prediction and early identification of non-RLN may minimize such a risk of injury. This study assessed the effect of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) on the detection of non-RLN. A total of 462 (236 right) nerves in 272 patients were identified and totally exposed, and all intraoperative steps of IONM were sequentially applied on the vagus nerve (VN) and RLN. Right predissection VN stimulation at a distal point did not create a sound signal in three cases (3/236; 1.27%). Proximal dissection of the right VN under IONM guidance established a proximal point, creating a positive signal. The separation point of non-RLN from VN was discovered in all three patients. Non-RLNs were exposed from separation to laryngeal entry. Positive IONM signals were obtained after resection of thyroid lobes, and postoperative period was uneventful in patients with non-RLN. Absence of distal VN signal is a precise predictor of the non-RLN. IONM-guided proximal dissection of the right VN leads to identification of the non-RLN. The prediction of non-RLN by the absence of the VN signal at an early stage of surgery may prevent or minimize the risk of nerve injury.


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
Krishnan Ravikumar ◽  
Dhalapathy Sadacharan

ABSTRACT Introduction A nonrecurrent course is an unusual anatomic variation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It is seen usually on the right side, and it is very rare on the left side. Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve if present is mostly associated with vascular anomalies. Case report A 55-year-old female was referred to us with thyrotoxic symptoms for a period of 6 months. She was rendered euthyroid with antithyroid medications. After complete evaluation, she was posted for total thyroidectomy. Intraoperatively, right recurrent nerve could not be identified in usual position. On careful dissection, a nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was identified. The recurrent laryngeal nerve on the left side showed normal course. The intraoperative and postoperative period were uneventful. Postoperative vocal cord status was normal. Conclusion This case was presented for its rarity and to stress the need for orderly meticulous surgical dissection. How to cite this article Ravikumar K, Sadacharan D, Suresh Rv. Surgical Delight: Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve. World J Endoc Surg 2015;7(1):14-16.


2020 ◽  
pp. 014556132092756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanchang Yin ◽  
Bin Song ◽  
Xiaoyan Wang

Objective: To study terminal bifurcation of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) with original direction to larynx entry and to decrease the risk of vocal cord paralysis in thyroid patients. Methods: The RLNs of 294 patients (482 sides) were dissected according to the branches into the larynx, and the original direction of each RLN trunk in thyroid surgery was recorded. Results: (1) About 30.9% of the RLNs gave off multiple branches into the larynx. (2) Two and 3 branches of RLNs into the larynx were found in 25.5% and 5.4% of the cases, respectively. (3) In 0.4% or 2 cases, the RLN trunk combined with the inferior branch of the vagus nerve. (4) Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve appeared in 2 cases. (5) On the left side, 68.0%, 25.6%, and 6.4% of cases were found with 1, 2, and 3 bifurcations of RLN to larynx entry, respectively. On the right side, 69.8%, 25.8%, and 4.4% cases were identified with 1, 2, and 3 bifurcations of RLN to larynx entry, respectively. (6) The combining dissection approach was proved as successful and safe for protecting the RLN with no permanent RLN paresis. Conclusions: Because of the anatomical variation in RLNs with extralaryngeal bifurcation, it is necessary to increase the awareness of surgeons about these variations so as to protect bifurcated nerves in thyroid surgery.


ISRN Surgery ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emin Gurleyik ◽  
Gunay Gurleyik

Background. Variations of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and Zuckerkandl’s tubercle (ZT), which is posterior extension of lateral lobes, may affect safety of thyroidectomy. Methods. Total and hemithyroidectomy were surgical procedures in 60 and 40 patients, respectively. Surgical anatomy was studied in 87 right and 73 left lobes. Presence of ZT was noted and its incidence was determined. RLNs were identified and fully isolated. Relationship between ZT and RLN was established. Results. ZTs were identified in 66 (66%) patients and in 81 (51%) lobes. ZT was present in 53 (61%) right and in 28 (38%) left lobes. ZTs were bilateral in 15 (25%) of 60 total thyroidectomy cases. Smaller tubercles show the neurovascular crossing point. RLN was posterior (medial) to ZT in 76 (94%) occurrences. RLN was laying on anterior surface of ZT only in 5 (6%) instances. Conclusions. RLN is unusually laying lateral to ZT which is common structure in the thyroid. Lateral RLN may be more vulnerable to injury. Total thyroidectomy requires dissection of ZT adjacent to RLN. Based on unusual relations and variations, RLN should be fully isolated before excision of adjacent structures.


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