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Spinal accessory lymph nodes: A prospective study of metastatic involvement
Author(s) -
Schuller David E.,
Platz Charles E.,
Krause Charles J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197803000-00008
Subject(s) - accessory nerve , medicine , neck dissection , lymph , lymph node , dissection (medical) , head and neck , anatomy , neck pain , surgery , radiology , pathology , carcinoma , alternative medicine
The traditional radical neck dissection involves excision of the spinal accessory nerve en bloc with the soft tissue of the posterior triangle in an effort to remove completely all node‐bearing tissue. The resultant decrease in range of motion of the involved extremity and subsequent pain have prompted some surgeons to seek alternatives. The purpose of this study is to review prospectively radical neck specimens with the specific intent of evaluating the frequency of metastatic involvement of the spinal accessory lymph nodes with head and neck malignancies. Fifty neck specimens were studied and the frequency of cancerous involvement of the spinal accessory nodes was not found to be significantly different from nodal involvement of the entire neck specimen. The location of accessory nerve involvement was predominantly in the proximal portion which is not within the posterior triangle. The results are further evaluated with the subsequent conclusion that preservation of the spinal accessory nerve cannot be justified on the basis of infrequent involvement with metastatic lymph nodes.