Analysis of the arterial anatomical variations of thyroid gland: anatomic guide for surgical neck dissection.

PURPOSE Aim of this study was to establish preliminary data on the variations of arterial supply of thyroid gland in Karnataka population. METHODS The anterior triangles in the neck of formalin fixed cadavers were dissected. The length, branching pattern, number and length of branches of superior thyroid artery (STA) were noted. We measured the length of inferior thyroid artery (ITA) from its point of emergence from thyrocervical trunk (TCT) to lower pole of thyroid gland. The length of the external carotid artery (ECA), TCT from the point of its emergence to the point of its branching was noted. We noted the number of branches from ITA and TCT. Presence of any additional artery supplying the thyroid gland was searched for. Difference in the length of STA and ITA between the two sexes and sides were noted. Statistical analysis was done by Student's t-test. RESULTS In our study the maximum length of STA was 5.34cm and that of ITA was 5.07cm and there were no statistically significant side-to-side differences in level of bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS Observations of the present study on the course and branching pattern of arteries around thyroid gland will help in easier approach during thyroid surgeries and interventional techniques (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 38).