Aberrant origin of the inferior thyroid artery from the common carotid artery: a rare anatomical variation

Adèle-Rose Ngo Nyeki; Giuseppe Peloni; Wolfram Karenovics; Frédéric Triponez; Samira Mercedes Sadowski

doi:10.21037/gs.2016.12.03

Aberrant origin of the inferior thyroid artery from the common carotid artery: a rare anatomical variation

Gland Surg. 2016 Dec;5(6):644-646. doi: 10.21037/gs.2016.12.03.

Authors

Adèle-Rose Ngo Nyeki¹, Giuseppe Peloni², Wolfram Karenovics¹, Frédéric Triponez¹, Samira Mercedes Sadowski¹

Affiliations

¹ Thoracic and Endocrine Surgery Unit, Surgery Department, University Hospitals of Geneva, 4 Rue Gabrielle Perret Gentil, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
² Thoracic and Endocrine Surgery Unit, Surgery Department, University Hospitals of Geneva, 4 Rue Gabrielle Perret Gentil, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;; Ospedale Regionale di Mendrisio, Via Turconi 23, 6850 Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Abstract

We describe the case of a rare anatomical variant of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) taking its origin directly from the common carotid artery (CCA) instead of the thyrocervical trunk (TCT). This anatomical feature exposes to risks of perioperative bleeding and nerve injuries when it is unrecognized by the surgeons. Knowledge of its existence may be helpful to reduce risks for the patient.

Keywords: Anatomical variation; common carotid artery (CCA); inferior thyroid artery (ITA).

Publication types

Case Reports