New parameters describing morphological variations in the suprascapular notch region as potential predictors of suprascapular nerve entrapment

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Michał Polguj³  Ludomir Stefańczyk²  Piotr Grzelak²  Marcin Sibiński⁴  Mirosław Topol¹  Michał Podgórski³ 

[1] Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Chair of Anatomy, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland;Department of Radiology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland;Department of Angiology, Chair of Anatomy, Medical University of Łódź, Narutowicza 60, Łódź 90-136, Poland;Clinic of Orthopaedic and Pediatric Orthopaedics, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland

关键词: Suprascapular foramen;    Suprascapular notch;    Superior transverse scapular ligament;    Suprascapular nerve entrapment;   

Others  :  1091508
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2474-15-396

 received in 2013-10-20, accepted in 2014-11-11,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

The suprascapular notch (SSN), bridged by the superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL), creates a pathway for the suprascapular nerve (SN). Morphological variations in the SSN region are common and can increase the risk of neuropathy by constricting the space for the nerve. The aim of this study was to establish new objective parameters that take this complex morphology into account.

Methods

The SSN region of 100 formalin-fixed cadaveric shoulders was dissected. The dimensions of the SSN, the STSL and the anterior coracoscapular ligament (ACSL), as well as diameters of the SN, associated vessels and SN passage area, were measured by means of quantitative visual data analysis software to assign those structures to present classifications. The area reduction coefficient (ARC) and the ambit occupation coefficient (AOC) were defined and calculated for each shoulder.

Results

The mean ARC and AOC for ligaments in the suprascapular region were: ARC_STSL = 71.6%, ARC_ACSL = 9.6%, AOC_STSL = 56.8% and AOC_ACSL = 9.1%. The SN passage area, ARC and AOC did not differ significantly between SSN types. The SN passage area and ARC differed significantly between band- and fan-shaped types of STSL. A significant relationship was observed between ARC and AOC (R = 0.6855; p < 0.0001). The SN passage area correlated significantly with ARC (R = -0.7555; p < 0.0001) and AOC (R = -0.5609; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The proposed parameters convey the complex morphology of the SSN region in a quantitative manner. The area reduction coefficient seems to be a more relevant indicator than the AOC as it better correlates with the SN passage area. Contrary to the SSN type, the STSL type significantly influences SN passage area and ARC.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Podgórski et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 2.

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