Thyroid tubercle of Zuckerkandl: anatomical and surgical experience from 79 thyroidectomies.
OBJECTIVE
To highlight a poorly known anatomical variation of the lateral lobe of the thyroid gland, which can be useful in identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery.


METHODS
We performed a three-year prospective study of 79 thyroid surgery patients. Great attention was paid to anatomical variations of the thyroid gland (i.e. the presence or absence of a distinct tubercle of Zuckerkandl), the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the location of the parathyroid glands.


RESULTS
A total of 71 right lobectomies and 74 left lobectomies were performed. Five tubercles of Zuckerkandl were identified (7.04 per cent of cases) and were useful in detecting the recurrent laryngeal nerve (but only on the right side).


CONCLUSIONS
The tubercle of Zuckerkandl is a poorly known and variable anatomical feature of the thyroid gland which may not, in fact, be so rare. It arises for embryological reasons, and it can be a reliable anatomical landmark for identifying the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery. It should be included in the Nomina Anatomica as the 'processus posterior glandulae thyroideae' described by Zuckerkandl.
Page
C
C
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Jules Verne University of Picardie, Amiens, France. cyril.page@caramail.com
Cuvelier
P
P
Biet
A
A
Boute
P
P
Laude
M
M
Strunski
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D061226:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult