PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the connection types and frequency between the accessory nerve and the posterior roots of the C2-C6 cervical nerves. METHODS: The cranial cervical regions of 49 specimens from 27 human cadavers were used for the present study under an operating microscope. RESULTS: Five different connection types between the accessory nerve and the posterior roots of the cervical nerves were recorded and photographed (types A-F). One of these types was not described previously in literature (type F). All connections between the posterior roots of the C2-C6 spinal nerves and the accessory nerve were at the level of the C2 segment. Type B was the most frequently seen type in our series. One of the rootlets of the cervical posterior root joined the accessory nerve without a connection to the spinal cord in type B. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical importance of these connections is especially noticed during the radical neck dissection as it may lead to the development of the shoulder-arm syndrome.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the connection types and frequency between the accessory nerve and the posterior roots of the C2-C6 cervical nerves. METHODS: The cranial cervical regions of 49 specimens from 27 human cadavers were used for the present study under an operating microscope. RESULTS: Five different connection types between the accessory nerve and the posterior roots of the cervical nerves were recorded and photographed (types A-F). One of these types was not described previously in literature (type F). All connections between the posterior roots of the C2-C6 spinal nerves and the accessory nerve were at the level of the C2 segment. Type B was the most frequently seen type in our series. One of the rootlets of the cervical posterior root joined the accessory nerve without a connection to the spinal cord in type B. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical importance of these connections is especially noticed during the radical neck dissection as it may lead to the development of the shoulder-arm syndrome.
Authors: Kwang Ho Cho; Hyung Suk Jang; Jin Sung Cheong; Jose Francisco Rodriguez-Vazquez; Gen Murakami; Hiroshi Abe Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2014-09-17 Impact factor: 1.475