A thoracoscopic view of the nerve of Kuntz.
The nerve of Kuntz and alternate neural pathways (ANPs) have long been considered crucial for upper limb sympathetic supply. However, at thoracoscopy, these structures are neither consistently identified nor searched for. This is probably reflective of the effectiveness of an isolated second thoracic ganglionectomy for upper limb sympathectomy. We present the case of a 19-year-old male who underwent a second thoracic ganglionectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis. On the left side, approximately 2.5 cm lateral to the typically located sympathetic chain, a filamentous structure (one-quarter the diameter of the sympathetic chain), identified as the nerve of Kuntz, was noted coursing across the neck of the second rib.
Ramsaroop
L
L
Discipline of Anatomy, School of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences, University of Durban-Westville, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
Singh
B
B
Moodley
J
J
Partab
P
P
Pather
N
N
Satyapal
K S
KS
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation; D015171:Ganglionectomy; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000601:surgery; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008297:Male; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013906:Thoracoscopy