A Case Report of Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve

Abstract

The non-recurrent laryngeal nerve is a rare neurological disorder associated with the underdeveloped subclavian artery. During thyroidectomy, this abnormal nerve can be inadvertently damaged, causing permanent vocal cord paralysis. However, preoperative diagnosis of the abnormal subclavian artery can predict the presence of non-relapsed laryngeal nerve. We report a case of right recurrent laryngeal nerve-related thyroid surgery that was not noticed preoperatively on a CT scan of the neck but was accidentally encountered during thyroidectomy. Preoperative CT scan showed an abnormal right subclavian artery in the posterior esophagus, but was unnoticed. A female patient underwent total thyroidectomy with central compartment node autopsy for thyroid cancer. The recurrent laryngeal nerve on the left side was identified, as well as the non-relapsed laryngeal nerve on the right side. Postoperatively, the patient had normal vocal cord function. By identifying the abnormal right recurrent laryngeal nerve with a CT scan of the neck, it is possible to predict the right recurrent laryngeal nerve preoperatively, which may help prevent vocal cord paralysis.