Anomaly of digastric muscle: an alarm bell for head and neck surgeon

Valentina Rosati; Gerardo Petruzzi; Flaminia Campo; Francesco Mazzola; Giulio Sequino; Flavia oliva; Gaspare Oliva; Raul Pellini; Filippo Ricciardiello

doi:10.23750/abm.v92iS1.11843

Anomaly of digastric muscle: an alarm bell for head and neck surgeon

Authors

Valentina Rosati Department of clinical sciences and translation medicine, section of Otorhinolaryngology, University of “Tor Vergata”, V.le Oxford 81 00133 Rome, Italy
Gerardo Petruzzi Gerardo Petruzzi: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
Flaminia Campo Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53 00144, Rome, Italy
Francesco Mazzola Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53 00144, Rome, Italy
Giulio Sequino Ear Nose and Throat Unit AORN Cardarelli
Flavia oliva Ear Nose and Throat Unit AORN Cardarelli
Gaspare Oliva Radiology Department AORN Cardarelli
Raul Pellini Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53 00144, Rome, Italy
Filippo Ricciardiello Ear Nose and Throat Unit AORN Cardarelli

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92iS1.11843

Keywords:

Digastric muscle, Absence of digastric muscle, Neck dissection, Anatomical variants, Surgical landmarks.

Abstract

Objectives: Here follows the discussion of a case of hypoplasia of both bellies of digastric muscle and the difficult during neck dissection, because of his surgical importance like a pivotal landmark.

Methods: We reported a case report concerning digastric muscle abnormalities, accidentally discovered during neck dissection due to surgical excision of a glottic squamous cell carcinoma staged as cT3N0. A brief literature review was done to compare and research similar cases.

Results: Literature counts several reports of digastric muscle abnormalities, namely involving the anterior belly. Little has been written about hypoplasia of digastric muscle.

Conclusion: Digastric muscle abnormalities are rare, which can be absent or, more frequently, duplicated. Albeit its anomalies are anecdotal, it is advisable to give due consideration to the hypoplasia of both bellies of the digastric muscle during the analysis of radiological imaging, in order to prevent the risk of operative complications. According to our knowledge, this is the first and singular case of digastric muscle’s hypoplasia.

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