case_images: PMC10587543_01
case_images: Enhanced CT scan. (A) Viewed in axial view, the right subclavian artery originates from the aortic arch and courses between the vertebrae and the esophagus. (B) Viewed in coronal view, the ectopic course of the right subclavian artery can be observed. (C) The blood vessels under three-dimensional reconstruction can be observed. Sca (R), Right subclavian artery; Ep, Esophagus; Tr, Trachea; A, Aorta.
case_images: fsurg-10-1272431-g001.jpg
case_images: PMC10587543_01_fsurg-10-1272431-g001.jpg
case_images: F1
case_images: Neck-enhanced CT revealed bilateral thyroid nodules and the right subclavian artery branching from the aortic arch on the distal side of the left subclavian artery (Figure 1).
case_images: Right nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve during endoscopic thyroidectomy via areolar approach. (A) Mistakenly identified as the superior thyroid artery, the NRLN. (B) Due to preoperative confirmation of anomalous course of the subclavian artery, the NRLN, which was mistakenly identified as the superior thyroid artery, was carefully dissected along its course instead of being transected. (C) Found to course through the thyroid gland and into the larynx. (D) Ultimately confirmed to be the NRLN.
case_images: fsurg-10-1272431-g002.jpg
case_images: PMC10587543_01_fsurg-10-1272431-g002.jpg
case_images: F2
case_images: Careful dissection along this cord-like structure revealed a nerve running horizontally inward to the thyroid cartilage below the inferior horn, which was identified as NRLN (Figure 2).