Case Report

Volume: 4 | Issue: 10 | Published: Oct 24, 2020 | Pages: 352 - 356 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1597216508

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of an iatrogenic winged scapula caused by spinal accessory neuropathy combined with dorsal scapular neuropathy - a case report


Authors: Alper Uysal , Nimet Bilge Kalkan


Article Info

Authors

Alper Uysal

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, Hatay State Hospital, Antakya, Turkey

Nimet Bilge Kalkan

Antakya Number 18 Family Health Center, Family Medicine, Antakya, Turkey

Publication History

Received: August 12, 2020

Revised: September 14, 2020

Accepted: September 14, 2020

Published: October 24, 2020


Abstract


Background: The most common cause of a spinal accessory nerve (SAN) lesion is iatrogenic injuries that occur during operations on the posterior cervical triangle of the neck. Dorsal scapular nerve (DSN) lesions occur rarely and are usually caused by compression of the nerve by the hypertrophic middle scalene muscle or stretching of the nerve as a result of traumatic movements. Case Presentation: We present a case with SAN and DSN lesions due to neck surgery because it is a rare case and we think it will contribute to the literature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first presentation of a case of iatrogenic injury to both the SAN and DSN. As a result of the examination and evaluation by ultrasonography of the patient, we suspected the accompanying DSN lesion and confirmed it with electromyography (EMG) examination. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal ultrasound can be used as an assistive or alternative technique for EMG examination in the diagnosis of chronic peripheral nerve lesions by measuring muscle thickness.

Keywords: Electromyography, peripheral nerve injuries, winged scapula, ultrasound, muscle thickness, case report, green