RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Variations in the Course of the Cervical Vagus Nerve on Thyroid Ultrasonography
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1178
OP 1181
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A2476
VO 32
IS 7
A1 J.K. Park
A1 S.Y. Jeong
A1 J.-H. Lee
A1 G.C. Lim
A1 J.W. Chang
YR 2011
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/32/7/1178.abstract
AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Only 1 ultrasonography study that described the variation of the VN had been published at the time our research was begun. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and type of variation in the course of the cervical VN on thyroid ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2009 to September 2010, 163 consecutive patients were evaluated by sonography for the screening and characterization of thyroid nodules (mean age, 49.0 ± 14.4 years, male:female, 20:143). Two types of variation were defined as follows: 1) anterior variation, when the course of the VNs changed from the typical location to an anterior location in front of the CCA; and 2) medial variation, when the course of the VNs changed from the typical location to a location medial to the CCA (between CCA and thyroid gland). The incidence of the each variation was studied. RESULTS: Variation in the course of the VN occurred in 5.5% (18/326) of cases. The anterior variation was observed in 4.3% (14/326, right:left = 4:10), and the medial variation was observed in 1.2% (4/326, right:left = 3:1). For both variations, the VN was close to or nearly abutted the thyroid gland after it changed course. CONCLUSIONS: Variation in the course of the cervical VN could be assessed by ultrasonography. Two variations were observed in 5.5% of cases. The anterior variation was more common than the medial variation. CCAcommon carotid arteryIJVinternal jugular veinRFAradiofrequency ablationVNvagus nerve