The Zuckerkandl tubercle.
Identification and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is a major concern during thyroidectomies. The Zuckerkandl tubercle is an anatomic landmark that can be used for this purpose. It is generally found in 63% to 80% of patients undergoing thyroidectomy and is located between the superior and inferior lobes and points toward the tracheoesophageal groove. It is classified into three grades according to size: I <.5 cm, II .5 to 1 cm, III >1 cm. A grade III tubercle, present in 45% of patients, is sometimes associated with significant pressure symptoms in otherwise small-sized goiters.
Gravante
Gianpiero
G
General Surgery Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00043 Ciampino (Roma), Rome, Italy. ggravante@hotmail.com <ggravante@hotmail.com>
Delogu
Daniela
D
Rizzello
Anna
A
Filingeri
Vincenzino
V
D006042:Goiter / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000517:prevention & control*