open access

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)
Case report
Submitted: 2018-01-19
Accepted: 2018-02-13
Published online: 2018-02-26
Get Citation

Novel variations in spatial relations between the facial nerve and superficial temporal and maxillary veins

W. El Kininy1, S. Davy1, L. Stassen12, D. S. Barry1
·
Pubmed: 29500899
·
Folia Morphol 2018;77(4):775-779.
Affiliations
  1. Trinity College Dublin, Department of Anatomy, Dublin, Ireland
  2. Dublin Dental University Hospital, Department of Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Dublin, Ireland

open access

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)
CASE REPORTS
Submitted: 2018-01-19
Accepted: 2018-02-13
Published online: 2018-02-26

Abstract

Variations in the relationship of the retromandibular vein to the facial nerve have been widely reported due to their relevance for surgical approaches in parotid, osteotomy and mandibular condyle surgery. In the context of the retromandibular retroparotid approach, remaining deep to the retromandibular vein is advised to decrease the likelihood of encountering the facial nerve during mandibular condyle surgery. In the present report, an unusual variant of the superficial temporal vein lying superficial to the facial nerve is described. This represents a variation of the venous branching pattern within the parotid gland, whereby the superficial temporal vein joins the maxillary vein inferior to its usual communication. These findings are discussed in the context of commonly used surgical approaches to the mandible for condylar trauma or osteotomy surgery.

Abstract

Variations in the relationship of the retromandibular vein to the facial nerve have been widely reported due to their relevance for surgical approaches in parotid, osteotomy and mandibular condyle surgery. In the context of the retromandibular retroparotid approach, remaining deep to the retromandibular vein is advised to decrease the likelihood of encountering the facial nerve during mandibular condyle surgery. In the present report, an unusual variant of the superficial temporal vein lying superficial to the facial nerve is described. This represents a variation of the venous branching pattern within the parotid gland, whereby the superficial temporal vein joins the maxillary vein inferior to its usual communication. These findings are discussed in the context of commonly used surgical approaches to the mandible for condylar trauma or osteotomy surgery.

Get Citation

Keywords

facial nerve variation, retromandibular vein, superficial temporal vein, mandibular condyle surgery, parotidectomy

About this article
Title

Novel variations in spatial relations between the facial nerve and superficial temporal and maxillary veins

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)

Article type

Case report

Pages

775-779

Published online

2018-02-26

Page views

2661

Article views/downloads

964

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0019

Pubmed

29500899

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2018;77(4):775-779.

Keywords

facial nerve variation
retromandibular vein
superficial temporal vein
mandibular condyle surgery
parotidectomy

Authors

W. El Kininy
S. Davy
L. Stassen
D. S. Barry

References (12)
  1. Ariyoshi Y, Shimahara M. Determining whether a parotid tumor is in the superficial or deep lobe using magnetic resonance imaging. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1998; 56(1): 23–26.
  2. Babademez MA, Acar B, Gunbey E, et al. Anomalous relationship of the retromandibular vein to the facial nerve as a potential risk factor for facial nerve injury during parotidectomy. J Craniofac Surg. 2010; 21(3): 801–802.
  3. de Ru JA, Bleys RL, van Benthem PP, et al. Preoperative determination of the location of parotid gland tumors by analysis of the position of the facial nerve. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2001; 59(5): 525–530.
  4. El-Hakim H, Mountain R, Carter L, et al. Anatomic landmarks for locating parotid lesions in relation to the facial nerve: cross-sectional radiologic study. J Otolaryngol. 2003; 32(05): 314–318.
  5. Howlett DC. High resolution ultrasound assessment of the parotid gland. Br J Radiol. 2003; 76(904): 271–277.
  6. Imaizumi A, Kuribayashi A, Okochi K, et al. Differentiation between superficial and deep lobe parotid tumors by magnetic resonance imaging: usefulness of the parotid duct criterion. Acta Radiol. 2009; 50(7): 806–811.
  7. Kawakami S, Tsukada S, Taniguchi W. The superficial temporal and retromandibular veins as guides to expose the facial nerve branches. Ann Plast Surg. 1994; 32(3): 295–299.
  8. Kim DI, Nam SH, Nam YS, et al. The marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve in Koreans. Clin Anat. 2009; 22(2): 207–214.
  9. Kopuz C, Ilgi S, Yavuz S, et al. Morphology of the retromandibular vein in relation to the facial nerve in the parotid gland. Acta Anat (Basel). 1995; 152(1): 66–68.
  10. Lim CY, Chang HS, Nam KH, et al. Preoperative prediction of the location of parotid gland tumors using anatomical landmarks. World J Surg. 2008; 32(10): 2200–2203.
  11. Piagkou M, Tzika M, Paraskevas G, et al. Anatomic variability in the relation between the retromandibular vein and the facial nerve: a case report, literature review and classification. Folia Morphol. 2013; 72(4): 371–375.
  12. Touré G, Vacher C. Relations of the facial nerve with the retromandibular vein: anatomic study of 132 parotid glands. Surg Radiol Anat. 2010; 32(10): 957–961.

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., Grupa Via Medica, Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk, Poland

tel.: +48 58 320 94 94, faks: +48 58 320 94 60, e-mail: viamedica@viamedica.pl