Spinal accessory (11th) nerve palsy following carotid endarterectomy

Sweeney, Patrick J. MD, FACP
Wilbourn, Asa J. MD

Department of Neurology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Patrick J. Sweeney, Department of Neurology, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195.

Received July 26, 1991. Accepted for publication in final form August 28, 1991.

Neurology 42(3):p 674-675, March 1992.

We report three cases of ipsilateral spinal accessory nerve palsy complicating carotid endarterectomy. Awareness of this cranial nerve injury, as a complication of this common surgical procedure, can lead to early diagnosis and avoids unnecessary investigations. This should be considered whenever such patients complain postoperatively of ipsilateral shoulder pain/weakness or “aching” about the ear, even if some time has elapsed since surgery.