Three-Dimensional Virtual Neck Exploration before Parathyroidectomy

Abstract

The authors found that three-dimensional virtual neck exploration may be a valuable adjunct to presurgical planning. It can detect inapparent anatomical variations that permit modification of the planned surgical approach. TO THE EDITOR: The accurate identification of the recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve is essential in thyroid and parathyroid surgery to prevent nerve injury. This determination is even more crucial when anatomical variations such as a nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve are present.1 Although this anatomical variant is rare, it is most often diagnosed intraoperatively. However, preoperative diagnosis is possible by means of visualization of an aberrant subclavian artery, the “lusoria artery,” which is associated with this neural variation. In the right-sided nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve, this anomalous artery originates from the distal part of the aortic arch and reaches the right . . .