title: Iatrogenic injury to the accessory nerve.
abstract: We describe two patients with uncommon causes of iatrogenic injuries and review the anatomy, presentation, possibilities of repair, and results. The incidence of such nerve injuries during lymph node biopsies is 3%-10%, but the diagnosis is often delayed. Symptoms are shoulder pain and inability to abduct the arm beyond the horizontal plane. Surgical repair may improve function and pain and should be performed early, preferably within six months, but prevention of nerve injury is most important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boström
authors.forename: Lars B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Dahlin
mesh_terms: D000055:Accessory Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D061227:Accessory Nerve Injuries; D000293:Adolescent; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D018579:Patient Selection; D012782:Shoulder / Q000294:innervation; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D013536:Suture Techniques