title: MRI findings of spinal accessory neuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterise the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of patients with spinal accessory nerve (SAN) denervation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients who had SAN denervation on electromyography (EMG) were included. The sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles and the SAN were assessed using MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Trapezius muscle atrophy was seen in 11 (92%), and of those patients, T2/short tau inversion recovery (STIR) signal hyperintensity was also demonstrated in seven (58%). All three patients with prior neck surgery had scarring around the SAN, and one of these patients demonstrated a neuroma, which was confirmed surgically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Features of SAN neuropathy on MRI include atrophy and T2/STIR signal hyperintensity of the trapezius, and in patients who have had posterior triangle neck surgery, scarring may be seen around the nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70(th) St., New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA. Electronic address: angela.li.rad@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70(th) St., New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Greditzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70(th) St., New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Melisaratos
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA; Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70(th) St., New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.affiliation: Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA; Department of Physiatry, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70(th) St., New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Feinberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70(th) St., New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sneag
mesh_terms: D000055:Accessory Nerve / Q000473:pathology*; D020436:Accessory Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies