Internal Jugular Vein Duplication: Anatomic Relationship With The Spinal Accessory Nerve

Publication date: Available online 12 March 2016
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Badr Ibrahim, Ilyes Berania, Sami P. Moubayed, Apostolos Christopoulos, Tareck Ayad
Level II neck dissection is a commonly performed procedure in head and neck surgery. It carries the risk of injury to the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and the internal jugular vein (IJV). Injury to any of these structures leads to increased intraoperative and post-operative complications and morbidity. Knowledge of the anatomic relationship – and possible variations from the norm- is vital to decrease the morbidity of this frequently practiced procedure. We report on the two rare different variations of SAN to IJV relations with IJV: 1) IJV splitting with SAN passage through the IJV window; 2) IJV splitting without SAN passage through the IJV window. We also review pre-operative imaging and pertinent literature regarding the variability in the relations of these structures.



from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1TFKg2Q
via IFTTT