No abstract

Duplication of internal jugular vein (IJV) is rare. It is the larger channel draining the cranial cavity. We encountered duplication of the IJV while cervical node clearance in a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of left margin of the tongue. IJV divides into two parts anterior and posterior after descending about 2.5 cm from the jugular foramen. IJV is an important landmark in neck surgery. Knowledge of its variations is essential to avoid complications during surgery and to avoid misinterpretation in CT angiography.

Every surgery is planned on the anatomical arrangement of the structures. Any variation in the arterial arrangement may lead to haemorrhagic episodes during intraoperative procedures. In this study, variations in the branching pattern of external carotid artery were noted. In two of the cases, thyrolingual trunk was observed. In the first case, thyrolingual trunk was arising from the common carotid artery, 17 mm below carotid bifurcation and in the second one at the carotid bifurcation. The knowledge of anatomical variation is necessary during intra-arterial chemotherapy and to prevent haemorrhagic accidents during intraoperative procedures.

Facial artery plays a key role in blood supply of the face. Facial artery one of the anterior branches of the external carotid artery originates within the carotid triangle. Variation in the origin of the facial artery was observed on two sides out of 60 sides in 30 cadavers. Facial artery was observed originating at the level just below the maxillary artery within the parotid gland. Facial artery may originate as linguo-facial trunk or thyro-linguo-facial trunk. Other developmental variations have also been described in the literature like, agenesis of facial artery, enlarged facial artery, hypoplastic facial artery. Variability in situation may complicate the surgery. Therefore maxillofacial surgeon, plastic surgeons and head & neck surgeon should be aware of such variation.

Thyroid anomalies are not uncommon. Two lobes are usually connected by isthmus at the level of 2-4 tracheal rings. We encountered a unique variation in which thyroid lobes were connected near upper pole by an isthmus at the level above the cricoid cartilage giving an 'inverted U' shape to the thyroid gland. Such unusual variation in thyroid gland has not been reported earlier in the literature. The sound knowledge of such variation should be important to the surgeon while operating on thyroid.