[Peripheral nerve injuries as a rare complication of cervical lymph node excision for diagnostic purposes]

During the last 3 years 263 patients were admitted who underwent diagnostic lymph node biopsy. Complications were observed only in 4 cases. In these cases, following cervical lymph node excision from the supraclavicular region, sectioning the spinal accessory nerve and branches of brachial plexus resulted in the "shoulder syndrome" which is characterized by a weakened, deformed, and often painful shoulder. Attention is called to the possibility of nerve injury during diagnostic excision of cervical lymph nodes. Most often the spinal accessory nerve and branches of brachial plexus are transected with subsequent deformity and decreased range of motion of the shoulder, which could influence deeply the quality of patient's life.