The most common anatomical variation of recurrent laryngeal nerve: extralaryngeal branching

Abstract

Objective: Extralaryngeal branching of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is frequent. In various studies, detection rate of extralaryngeal nerve branching was increased by intraoperative neuromonitorization (IONM). Our aim was evaluation of the relationship between the features of extralaryngeal branching of RLN and other anatomic variations in thyroidectomy patients under the guidance of IONM. Methods: Patients underwent thyroidectomy using IONM between January 2016 and December 2019 and whose RLNs were fully explored till the nerve’s entry point to the larynx, were enrolled to the study. Extralaryngeal branching of RLN was accepted as branching of the nerve at a ≥5 mm distance from its laryngeal entry point and having its all branches entering the larynx. Entrapment of RLN at the region of ligament of Berry (BL) by a vascular structure or posterior BL and relationship between RLN and inferior thyroid artery (ITA) was evaluated. Results: Out of 696 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 1127 neck sides (536F and 160M) were evaluated. Mean age was 49.1±13.4 (range; 18–89). Nerve branching ratio was 35.3% and was higher in females than males (38.2%vs.25.8%, p <0.0001, respectively). Extralaryngeal branching of RLN was detected in 398 (35.3%) out of 1127 nerves. A total of 368 (92.5%) RLNs had two, 27 (6.8%) nerves had three, and 3 (0.7%) had multiple branches. RLN crossed anterior to and between branches of ITA more frequently in branching nerves than non-branching nerves (47.7 vs. 44.4% and 12.8% vs. 7.6%, respectively) but crossed posterior to ITA less frequently in branching nerves (38.5% vs. 48%, respectively, p =0.001). Entrapment of RLN at the region of BL was higher in branched nerves (25.9% vs. 17.5%, respectively, p =0.001). Entrapment of RLN wasmore frequent at the right side than left side both in branching (31.5% vs.19.4%, respectively, p =0.008) and non-branching nerves (20.6% vs. 14.4%, respectively). Conclusion: Extralaryngeal branching of RLN is not rare and mostly divided into two branches. Branching ratio is higher in females than males. In branching nerves, rate of crossing anterior to and between branches of ITA was higher, in non-branching nerves, rate of crossing posterior to ITA was higher. In branching nerves, possibility of entrapment of RLN at the region of BL was higher. Both in branching and non-branching nerves, entrapment of RLN at the region of BL was higher at the right side. Extralaryngeal branching, relationship between RLN and ITA, and entrapment of RLN at the region of BL are frequently seen and variable anatomic variations and cannot be foreseen preoperatively. Most of the extralaryngeal branches and their relationship with other variations can be detected by finding RLN at the level of ITA and following RLN until its entry point to the larynx.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Variants and Their Implication in Surgery and Neck Pathologies, Using the Anatomical Quality Assurance (AQUA) Checklist

“…In this review, we analyzed 18 case studies; and although we know that the RLN variants in this review were found by chance and not from pure investigative intention, we believe that the use of these studies could provide us with information on some type of special variant or one that is different from those proposed theoretically or by the classifications included in this study. In relation to the above, a case study was included that described the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), an NRLN, and a type I right thoracic duct draining into the right brachiocephalic vein, which is not commonly found within the classical literature or published in a scientific article [67] (see Figure 7). Of the studies included in this review, to analyze their methodological quality, they were subjected to the Quality Assessment of Anatomical Studies bias analysis [27].…”

“…For analysis of data, these studies were grouped into three categories: studies with a prevalence rate greater than 10%, studies with a prevalence rate of less than 10%, and studies with n > 1 but with 100% prevalence. Eight studies had n > 1 and a prevalence of 100%; these studies [ 30 , 31 , 36 , 37 , 43 , 44 , 46 , 67 ] had an N ranging between 2 and 294 and a mean of 64.12 subjects. Six studies [ 32 , 34 , 39 , 40 , 47 , 66 ] had a prevalence greater than 10% and a deviation between 49 and 2404 subjects, and a mean of 1136.7 subjects.…”

“…The following studies did not report differences in prevalence between RLN and NRLN: [ 16 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 33 , 36 , 48 , 68 ], showing a mean prevalence of 0.35 and a CI of 0.09–1.42, 1.27 with a CI of 0.32–5.11, 0.92 with a CI of 0.31–2.80, 0.76 with a CI of 0.37–1.54, and 2.46 with a CI of 0.62–8.48, respectively. The following studies showed a high prevalence in favor of the RLN variant [ 44 , 67 ], with a mean of 0.12 and a CI of 0.04–0.39 and 0.06 with a CI of 0.03–0.11, respectively. Finally, the following studies showed a prevalence for the NRLN: [ 3 , 43 ] with a respective mean of 28.62 and a CI of 9.49–86.34 and 6.45 with a CI of 4.28–9.73.…”

An atypical bilateral trifurcation of recurrent laryngeal nerve

“…Visible anatomic variations include extra-laryngeal branching such as bifurcations, trifurcations, relation of RLN with inferior thyroid artery (ITA) & presence of non-recurrent laryngeal nerve [4]. The incidence of nonrecurrent RLN is about 0.5-1.5% most commonly associated with arterial anomalies most commonly an aberrant right subclavian artery, also known as arteria lusoria [3].…”