Accessory nerve palsy: a review of 23 cases

In a series of 23 patients, the commonest cause of accessory nerve palsy was surgical trauma at the time of lymph node biopsy. The less common causes were penetrating or blunt trauma and a few were of spontaneous onset. There was involvement of adjacent motor sensory nerves in about half of the patients. The prognosis was better following blunt trauma, stretch injuries and after a spontaneous onset. The anatomical relationships of the accessory nerve and aspects of the clinical picture and management are discussed.