Morphometry of the suprascapular notch: correlation with scapular dimensions and clinical relevance

Abstract

BackgroundBetter knowledge of the suprascapular notch anatomy may help to prevent and to assess more accurately suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. Our purposes were to verify the reliability of the existing data, to assess the differences between the two genders, to verify the correlation between the dimensions of the scapula and the suprascapular notch, and to investigate the relationship between the suprascapular notch and the postero-superior limit of the safe zone for the suprascapular nerve.MethodsWe examined 500 dried scapulae, measuring seven distances related to the scapular body and suprascapular notch; they were also catalogued according to gender, age and side. Suprascapular notch was classified in accordance with Rengachary’s method. For each class, we also took into consideration the width/depth ratio. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation was calculated.ResultsThe frequencies were: Type I 12.4%, Type II 19.8%, Type III 22.8%, Type IV 31.1%, Type V 10.2%, Type VI 3.6%. Width and depth did not demonstrate a statistical significant difference when analyzed according to gender and side; however, a significant difference was found between the depth means elaborated according to median age (73 y.o.). Correlation indexes were weak or not statistically significant. The differences among the postero-superior limits of the safe zone in the six types of notches was not statistically significant.ConclusionsPatient’s characteristics (gender, age and scapular dimensions) are not related to the characteristics of the suprascapular notch (dimensions and Type); our data suggest that the entrapment syndrome is more likely to be associated with a Type III notch because of its specific features.

A computed tomography study on the correlation between the morphometry of the suprascapular notch and anthropometric measurements of the scapula

“…Albino et al [1] demonstrated that SN entrapment syndrome was more likely to be associated with a type III notch (with higher MD) because of its specific features [1]. A similar observation was previously made by Rengachary et al [17].…”

“…Repeated kinking irritates the nerve and may induce microtraumas that result in injury [17]. When the SN travels through a "deep and narrow" SSN, it may be predispose to be injured by the sharp bony walls [1]. According to a radiological study by Polguj et al [14], the maximal notch depth was significantly higher in males than in females (p = 0.00326).…”

“…According to a current bibliography search, only 3 descriptions exist of the correlation between the diameters of the SSN and anthropometric measurements of the human scapula [1,12,19]. These are based on the classical anthropometric measurements of the dry scapula.…”

“…The anatomy of the structures surrounding the SSN is complex and of great significance because morphological variations may predispose the patient to compression of the SN [5,13,18,20]. Also, as the SSN is variform, its shape and size are the most important factors in the aetiopathology of SN entrapment [1,11,17]. Therefore, knowledge of the morphology of the suprascapular region, especially the SSN, is particularly important in various techniques associated with arthroscopic SN decompression [3,7,8] or ultrasound-guided blockage of the SN [15].…”

Morphology of suprascapular notch in medieval skeletons from Bulgaria

“…According to the results of Polguj et al [27], the distribution of the SSN types in both sexes was similar too. Albino et al [1] concluded in their study that the type of the SSN is not related to the sex and age of the individuals. As far as the completely ossified superior transverse ligament is concerned, Polguj et al [27] established that it was more frequent in females than in males (9.1% vs. 4.9%).…”