title: Spinal accessory (11th) nerve palsy following carotid endarterectomy.
abstract: We report three cases of ipsilateral spinal accessory nerve palsy complicating carotid endarterectomy. Awareness of this cranial nerve injury, as a complication of this common surgical procedure, can lead to early diagnosis and avoids unnecessary investigations. This should be considered whenever such patients complain postoperatively of ipsilateral shoulder pain/weakness or "aching" about the ear, even if some time has elapsed since surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Wilbourn
mesh_terms: D000055:Accessory Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D004691:Endarterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*