scholarly journals Surgical Anatomy of the Cervical Part of the Hypoglossal Nerve

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 021-027 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Ngure Kariuki ◽  
Fawzia Butt ◽  
Pamela Mandela ◽  
Paul Odula

Iatrogenic injuries to cranial nerves, half of which affect the hypoglossal nerve, occur in up to 20% of surgical procedures involving the neck. The risk of injury could be minimized by in-depth knowledge of its positional and relational anatomy. Forty-one hypoglossal nerves were dissected from cadaveric specimens and positions described in relation to the internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA), carotid bifurcation, mandible, hyoid bone, mastoid process, and the digastric tendon. The distance of the nerve from where it crossed the ICA and ECA to the carotid bifurcation was 29.93 (± 5.99) mm and 15.19 (± 6.68) mm, respectively. The point where it crossed the ICA was 12.24 (± 3.71) mm superior to the greater horn of hyoid, 17.16 (± 4.40) mm inferior to the angle of the mandible, and 39.08 (± 5.69) mm from tip of the mastoid. The hypoglossal nerve loop was inferior to the digastric tendon in 73% of the cases. The hypoglossal nerves formed high loops in this study population. Caution should be exercised during surgical procedures in the neck. The study also revealed that the mastoid process is a reliable fixed landmark to locate the hypoglossal nerve.

Author(s):  
Anasuya Ghosh ◽  
Subhramoy Chaudhury ◽  
Atin Datta

Background: The common carotid, internal and external carotid arteries and their branches serve as major source of blood supply in head-neck region of human and are often encountered during numerous surgical and clinical interventions of neck.Methods: We dissected and examined both sides of neck in 49 well embalmed cadavers (98 sides). We recorded the following anatomical parameters of carotid arterial system-level of bifurcation, the relation between internal and external carotid arteries, branching pattern of anterior branches of external carotid artery, tortuosity in carotid arterial system, and relation of hypoglossal nerve with the carotid arteries.Results: In 56.16 % cases, the common carotid arterial bifurcation took place at the upper border of thyroid cartilage though high bifurcation was quite common (43.88%). The external carotid artery was located antero-medial to internal carotid artery in most cases (93.87%). Abnormal tortuosity of carotid arterial system was detected in 2.04% cases only. In 86.73% cases, the hypoglossal nerve crossed the internal and external carotid artery superior to carotid bifurcation above the level of hyoid bone while in 1 case it crossed immediately inferior to carotid bifurcation. In branching pattern, following variations were observed- linguo-facial trunk in 15.3% cases, thyro-lingual trunk in 5.1% cases, origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid in 10.02% cases and origin of superior thyroid from internal carotid in one case (1.02%).Conclusions: The carotid arterial system has complex and variable anatomy in neck and this information should be kept in mind to avoid unwanted damage during surgical procedures of neck.


2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. ONS363-ONS370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Izci ◽  
Roham Moftakhar ◽  
Mark Pyle ◽  
Mustafa K. Basşkaya

Abstract Objective: Access to the high cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) is technically challenging for the treatment of lesions in and around this region. The aims of this study were to analyze the efficacy of approaching the high cervical ICA through the retromandibular fossa and to compare preauricular and postauricular incisions. In addition, the relevant neural and vascular structures of this region are demonstrated in cadaveric dissections. Methods: The retromandibular fossa approach was performed in four arterial and venous latex-injected cadaveric heads and necks (eight sides) via preauricular and postauricular incisions. This approach included three steps: 1) sternocleidomastoid muscle dissection; 2) transparotid dissection; and 3) removal of the styloid apparatus and opening of the retromandibular fossa to expose the cervical ICA with the internal jugular vein along with Cranial Nerves X, XI, and XII. Results: The posterior belly of the digastric muscle and the styloid muscles were the main obstacles to reaching the high cervical ICA. The high cervical ICA was successfully exposed through the retromandibular fossa in all specimens. In all specimens, the cervical ICA exhibited an S-shaped curve in the retromandibular fossa. The external carotid artery was located more superficially than the ICA in all specimens. The average length of the ICA in the retromandibular fossa was 6.8 cm. Conclusion: The entire cervical ICA can be exposed via the retromandibular fossa approach without neural and vascular injury by use of meticulous dissection and good anatomic knowledge. Mandibulotomy is not necessary for adequate visualization of the high cervical ICA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (22) ◽  
pp. 1780-1785
Author(s):  
Manju Sudhakaran ◽  
Mini Alikunju ◽  
Vandana Latha Raveendran ◽  
Umesan Kannanvilakom Govindapillai

BACKGROUND External carotid arteries account for a major share of arterial supply of head and neck regions. As variations are frequently observed in the branching pattern of external carotid artery, surgeons, radiologists and anaesthetists often encounter difficulties in various procedures of head and neck. The purpose of this study is to describe the variations in the branching pattern of external carotid artery as observed in South Indian population which definitely reduces its iatrogenic injuries associated with surgical and radiological procedures of head and neck. METHODS This is cross-sectional descriptive study. Bilateral neck dissection was done on twenty-two formalin fixed cadavers to study the branching pattern of external carotid artery during a period of two years in the Department of Anatomy in Government Medical College, Alappuzha. Common carotid, external carotid and internal carotid arteries were dissected. All the branches of external carotid artery were traced and the variations were noted. The distance between carotid bifurcation and point of origin of individual branches of external carotid were measured and statistically analyzed. RESULTS In the present study along with normal branching pattern of external carotid artery, variations like origin of superior thyroid artery from common carotid artery and also from carotid bifurcation were seen. A common linguofacial trunk and direct origin of superior laryngeal artery from external carotid artery were also observed. CONCLUSIONS Prior knowledge of the variations will be helpful to surgeons and anaesthetists while dealing with these vessels during procedures of head and neck regions. KEYWORDS External Carotid Artery, Carotid Bifurcation, Superior Thyroid Artery, Linguofacial Trunk


The parotid gland consists of two lobes: superficial and deep with regard to its relation with the facial nerve. It is wrapped around the mandibular ramus and secretes saliva through the parotid (Stensen's) duct. It is a paired organ, weighing 15-30g each. Its superficial lobe overlies the lateral surface of the masseter muscle and is bounded superiorly by the zygomatic arch, while its deep lobe is located in the pre-styloid compartment of the parapharyngeal space between the mastoid process posteriorly, ramus of mandible anteriorly, and external auditory meatus superiorly. Medially, the gland reaches to the styloid process. Inferiorly, the parotid tail extends down to the anteromedial margin of sternocleido-mastoid muscle. Several structures run through the parotid gland, namely, terminal segment of external carotid artery, retro-mandibular vein, parotid lymph nodes, and facial nerve, which soon gives two divisions (temporo-facial and cervico-facial) that give off five branches inside the gland radiating forwards. This chapter explores the surgical anatomy of the parotid gland.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazutaka Sugimoto ◽  
Andreia Morais ◽  
Homa Sadeghian ◽  
Tao Qin ◽  
David Y. Chung ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Spreading depolarizations (SD) likely manifest as aura in migraineurs. Triggers are unknown although vascular events have been implicated. Direct carotid puncture has been reported to trigger migraine with aura. The potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1), which can be released from the endothelium under pathological conditions, may play a role. Here, we tested whether intracarotid ET-1 infusion triggers SD and whether systemic ET-1 infusion increases the susceptibility to SD. Methods Carotid infusions were performed in mice (C57BL/6, male) through a catheter placed at the carotid bifurcation via the external carotid artery. Intracarotid ET-1 (1.25 nmol/ml) was infused at various rates (2–16 μl/min) with or without heparin in the catheter and compared with vehicle infusion (PBS with 0.01% acetic acid) or sham-operated mice (n = 5). Systemic infusions ET-1 (1 nmol/kg, n = 7) or vehicle (n = 7) infusions were performed in rats (Sprague-Dawley, male) via the tail vein. Electrical SD threshold and KCl-induced SD frequency were measured after the infusion. Results Intracarotid infusion of saline (n = 19), vehicle (n = 7) or ET-1 (n = 12) all triggered SDs at various proportions (21%, 14% and 50%, respectively). These were often associated with severe hypoperfusion prior to SD onset. Heparinizing the infusion catheter completely prevented SD occurrence during the infusions (n = 8), implicating microembolization from carotid thrombi as the trigger. Sham-operated mice never developed SD. Systemic infusion of ET-1 did not affect the electrical SD threshold or KCl-induced SD frequency. Conclusion Intravascular ET-1 does not trigger or increase susceptibility to SD. Microembolization was the likely trigger for migraine auras in patients during carotid puncture.


2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 793-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Müller-Hülsbeck ◽  
Thomas Jahnke ◽  
Carsten Liess ◽  
Christoph Glass ◽  
Friedrich Paulsen ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate in an in vitro bench-top model the efficacy of 4 filtration devices designed for cerebral protection during carotid angioplasty. Methods: Embolization during carotid angioplasty was simulated with human plaque material (8 to 12 particles weighing 6.02 ± 0.10 mg) in an open flow model with the aortic arch and carotid bifurcation made from elastic silicone tubes and saline used as the fluid medium. The 500 to 1500-µm particles were injected into the internal carotid artery (ICA) in front of the test protection device, which was deployed 5 cm distal to the bifurcation. Particles getting past the protection device or flowing into the external carotid artery (ECA) were caught in 100-µm filters and weighed. Ten trials were made on each of 4 devices: Angioguard, FilterWire EX, TRAP, and NeuroShield. All were deployed according to the manufacturers' directions except the FilterWire, which was manually repositioned in all tests to eliminate a gap between the filter and the tube wall. Results: The lowest weight of missed particles in the effluent was obtained with the NeuroShield (0.05 ± 0.04 mg, 0.8% of injected particle weight) and FilterWire (0.08 ± 0.05 mg, 1.3%; p=0.254 compared to NeuroShield, p=0.006 versus TRAP). The weight of particles missed by the TRAP device (0.16 ± 0.06 mg, 2.6%; p<0.001 versus NeuroShield and Angioguard, p<0.05 compared to Filter Wire) was higher, and the largest amount of missed particles was observed with the Angioguard filter (0.27 ± 0.06 mg, 4.4%; p<0.001 compared to all). NeuroShield and FilterWire were significantly different (p<0.001) compared to Angioguard and TRAP in a pairwise analysis. No embolization into the ECA occurred. Conclusions: In vitro, none of the tested devices had the ability to completely prevent embolization into the ICA. Comparing current designs, the NeuroShield filter and the FilterWire EX captured the highest percentage of human particles in this in vitro model, probably due to their larger filter volume.


2001 ◽  
Vol 115 (6) ◽  
pp. 467-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hossam Thabet ◽  
Hesham Kotob

Sixteen patients were diagnosed as suffering from cervical paragangliomas. Eleven patients (68.75 per cent) had twelve carotid paragangliomas (CPs), and five patients (31.25 per cent) had six vagal paragangliomas (VP). One CP (8.33 per cent) originated from paraganglia around the common carotid artery (CCA). Three cases of multiple paragangliomas are presented (18.75 per cent). In 80 per cent (4/5) of VP patients there was widening of the carotid bifurcation similar to that seen with CP. This widening occurred whenever the VP was large enough to grown in between the external carotid artery and internal carotid artery (ECA and ICA). Large VPs may displace the vessels either anterolaterally or anteromedially. Knowledge of the direction of the carotid displacement is essential to avoid intra-operative vascular injuries. Colour flow doppler ultrasound (CFD-US) was found to be a good non-invasive method for diagnosis of vascular neck swellings. It enabled the diagnosis of CP with 100 per cent accuracy, but it was not sufficient for diagnosis of high VP. A transcervical approach, cutting the digastric muscle and the styloid process with the attached ligaments and muscles, was sufficient for excision of most VP. However, midline mandibulotomy might be necessary with high VP. Vascular injuries occurred in 12.5 per cent (2/16) of patients. Superior laryngeal nerve and hypoglossal nerve paralysis occurred, respectively, in (2/11) and (1/11) of patients with CP. Vagal paralysis occurred in all patients with VP. Cerebrovascular accident and post-operative death occurred in one patient (6.26 per cent).


Vascular ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 170853812110523
Author(s):  
Adalberto P Araujo ◽  
Cristiane F Araujo‐Gomes ◽  
Douglas Poschinger-Figueiredo ◽  
Carlos Felipe S Delgado ◽  
Monica R Mayall ◽  
...  

Objectives This study describes an alternative carotid bifurcation endarterectomy technique in which the external carotid artery is used as a suture patch. Methods Charts of ten patients with atherosclerotic carotid stenosis that were treated using the neobulb technique between 2002 and 2019 were reviewed. Results No major surgical adverse event was observed in the postoperative assessments. No postoperative common or internal carotid stenosis was observed in the mid- or long-term follow-up. Conclusions The neobulb technique allows carotid endarterectomy closure without a synthetic or venous patch, using the external carotid artery as an autologous patch, while preserving distal flow into the external carotid artery branches.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Ludt ◽  
Michelle Leppert ◽  
Asher Jones ◽  
John Song ◽  
David Kuwayama ◽  
...  

Hyoid bone elongation is an uncommon cause of stroke. Here, we report a case of hyoid bone elongation causing localized trauma to the internal carotid artery, resulting in multiple strokes. A 32-year-old woman presented with unilateral weakness and history of a recent stroke. Imaging revealed the greater horn of the hyoid bone extending between the external and internal carotid with associated thrombus at the carotid bifurcation and acute stroke. Carotid ultrasound demonstrated movement of the hyoid bone in and out of the space between the external carotid artery and internal carotid artery with neck rotation. Treatment involved anticoagulation and partial hyoid bone resection. After resection, the stroke symptoms had not recurred in the patient. Hyoid bone–related carotid injury is an infrequent etiology of stroke, with no established treatment guidelines. Partial hyoid bone resection and antithrombotic therapy are likely a reasonably safe and effective treatment.


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