Neck Nerves

[NeckNervesCompression]

Sympt:Fatigue,Ear(muscle)Noise,EarachesHeadaches,MouthProblems
    Had a growth in the left neck which was diagnosed as a "lesion on the brachial cleft sinus tract". Multiple nerves were involved including hypoglossal, glossopharyngeal, sympathetic, and laryngeals (vagus). The growth caused medial displacement and kinking of carotids against nerves and the pharynx. Growth (a firm rubbery mass)removed in 1996 and since then attempts have been made to resolve the problem by straightening the kinked arteries. Arteries dekinked with relief of symptoms for up to 2 weeks. After this time arteries "snapped" back to old position, once when head turned and the other while talking. Recent MRI's confirm arteries still pressed against backside of pharynx. Injections at a pain clinic have given a few hours of relief. Medication has not been helpful.
     In the past year I have discussed with several doctors freeing the carotids (again) and building a sling or cradle of Dacron to hold them. The sling (cradle) would then be sutured to the SternoCleidoMastoid muscle to permanently keep the carotids out of harm's way allowing the nerves and pharynx to return to normal.
     Problem: No surgeon knows of this procedure and some have apparently searched the Web. The only procedure that has been offered is the cutting of nerve roots. This sounds like overkill with unknown consequences.
     I look forward to resolving this problem with your help.  

[NeckNervesCompression]

While transplantation of the arteries is a solution there is also a problem. Arteries can be readily freed from their surrounding structures but after closure of the wound the overlaid tissues tend to press the arteries back to an "open trench" which is the cavity from their old position. Stuffing (not recommended)inert material into the trench would only replace one problem with another. The question is how to prevent the arteries from falling back at least until the area heals and tissue build-up can take place.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-RPS]

Dear Neck/Nerve/Compression:

Sorry to hear of your problem.  The sling might be a nice idea if the surgeons could guarantee that they would not induce sluggish blood flow in the sling.  Why not just redo the arteries with surgery and not worry about the sling?  that way there would be no foreign body in your muscle to cause calcification.  Transplantation of arteries has been done for many, many years and it would be a simple matter to excise the bad parts and just reconnect them into a more desirable lie.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD