Agenesis of Isthmus of thyroid gland with presence of pyramidal lobe and levator glandulae thyroideae.

A wide range of morphological and developmental variations of thyroid gland like hypoplasia, ectopic thyroid tissue, hemiagenesis or agenesis of thyroid gland has been reported. Out of these agenesis of the thyroid isthmus is a very rare congenital anomaly. Thyroid isthmus agenesis does not manifest clinical symptoms, and it can be confused with other thyroid pathologies. Also the presence of levator glandulae thyroideae and its anatomical variations gain importance in the pathologies which are related to thyroid gland and their treatment modalities. We hereby, report the absence of isthmus and presence of levator glandulae thyroideae and pyramidal lobe in a middle aged male cadaver. The present case report is an attempt to highlight the implications of variation of thyroid gland from diagnostic, phylogenetic and functional perspectives.

Study of variations in medial sural cutaneous nerve, lateral sural cutaneous nerve and peroneal communicating nerve.

The sural nerve complex includes the Medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN), Lateral sural cutaneous nerve (LSCN), Peroneal communicating nerve (PCN) and Sural nerve. The sural nerve is the most frequently used donor nerve for peripheral nerve grafting. LSCN can be an alternative to sural nerve in situations requiring a limited length of nerve graft material, the peroneal communicating nerve may also be harvested. Fifty lower limb specimens were dissected and data was collected. The study included 16 male and 9 female cadavers. MSCN was observed in all 50 specimens, out of which 74% specimens had normal course and 22% had a transmuscular course. LSCN was present in 82% of specimens. PCN was arising from Common Peroneal Nerve (CPN) directly in 16% and as a common trunk with LSCN in 14% of specimens. PCN was absent in 28% of cases. So knowledge of variation in these nerves will help the surgeons while considering these nerves for nerve grafting.