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Internal Jugular Vein Duplication: Anatomic Relationship With the Spinal Accessory Nerve
Badr Ibrahim1, Ilyes Berania1, Sami P Moubayed2
1Resident, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Canada.
Summary
Level II neck dissection risks spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and internal jugular vein (IJV) injury. This study details two rare anatomical variations of the SAN and IJV relationship to improve surgical safety.
Area of Science:
- Head and Neck Surgery
- Surgical Anatomy
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Level II neck dissection is a standard head and neck surgical procedure.
- Potential complications include injury to the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and internal jugular vein (IJV).
- Understanding anatomical variations is crucial for minimizing surgical morbidity.
Observation:
- This report presents two uncommon variations in the anatomical relationship between the SAN and IJV.
- Variation 1: The IJV bifurcates, with the SAN passing through the resulting 'window'.
- Variation 2: The IJV bifurcates, but the SAN does not traverse the 'window'.
Findings:
- Detailed description of two rare anatomical variations involving the spinal accessory nerve and internal jugular vein.
- Documentation of the IJV splitting with SAN passage through the IJV window.
- Documentation of the IJV splitting without SAN passage through the IJV window.
Implications:
- Preoperative awareness of these rare variations can aid surgeons in avoiding SAN and IJV injury.
- Enhanced understanding of anatomical variability can improve patient outcomes following neck dissections.
- This knowledge is vital for reducing intraoperative and postoperative complications in head and neck surgery.
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