title: Unilateral absence of latissimus dorsi muscle.
abstract: Latissimus dorsi (LD) is the broadest muscle of the back responsible for extension and adduction of shoulder. The authors report a case of isolated unilateral absence of the latissimus dorsi muscle observed during an ablative surgical procedure and flap reconstruction. The left LD muscle was completely absent in our patient and no tendon fibers belonging to this muscle could be observable on further dissection. The surrounding muscle anatomy was normal and in place suggesting a developmental etiology for its absence. Awareness of this possible variation is of importance in considering reconstructive options.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ali.izadpanah@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izadpanah
authors.forename: Sepideh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Babaei
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luc
authors.forename: Teanoosh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zadeh
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001415:Back / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000601:surgery; D012782:Shoulder / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome