A Study on Suprascapular Foramen and Its Clinical Importance: A Cadaveric Study in Western Part of Tamilnadu, India

Background: Suprascapular notch is present along the superior border of the scapula close to the lateral angle, which is converted into a Suprascapular foramen by the transverse Suprascapular ligament. Normally the Suprascapular nerve and vein pass through the foramen below the ligament, while the Suprascapular artery runs above the ligament. Suprascapular nerve entrapment is an interesting clinical condition which is widely involved in this area. Aim of the study: To find out the presence of Suprascapular artery passing along with the Suprascapular nerve and vein within the foramen and any pathology associated with it. Materials and Methods: The proposed study is carried out in the Department of Anatomy, Karpagam Faculty of Medical Sciences and Research, Coimbatore, where 51 well embalmed cadavers of both the sexes and various age groups was utilised. Results: Out of 51 cadavers dissected, we found Suprascapular artery was found passing along with the Suprascapular nerve and vein in 2 of the cadavers, of which one each is found in a male and a female cadaver with an incidence of 3.92%. Conclusion: Studies done earlier pointed out the importance of Suprascapular nerve entrapment, the various causes and predisposing factors responsible for it ,and a knowledge of safe zone around the shoulder region should be known well to the operating surgeon and the available imaging techniques should be utilised by the radiologists in order to avoid the complications while dealing with the Suprascapular nerve entrapment. KEY WORDS: Cadaver, Suprascapular foramen, Suprascapular artery, Nerve entrapment, Transverse Suprascapular ligament.

Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment by a Trifid Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament

Anatomical variations at the suprascapular notch may limit the available space for the suprascapular nerve (SSN), and cause its entrapment in the tight osseoligamentous tunnel. The author encountered the presence of a trifid superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) while operating on a patient with SSN entrapment. Surgical division of the three bands resulted in complete regression of symptoms.

Morphometric study of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to the incidence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament

Background Understanding of suprascapular notch (SSN) anatomy and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The study aimed to assess morphometry of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to scapulae with completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments. Methods This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted on 50 Ugandan dry scapulae. SSN types and prevalence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament among dry scapulae were quantified and compared with previous data. Scapular dimensions were assessed by measuring scapular length (A), scapular width (B), glenoid length (C), and glenoid width (D). One-way ANOVA was used to compare scapular dimensions of scapulae with different SSN types, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation coefficient of scapular dimensions amongst groups. Results Superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) was completely ossified in 8% of cases. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between scapular dimensions of scapulae with completely ossified STSL compared to scapulae with other SSN types. Scapulae with completely ossified STSL showed strong negative (r = − 0.89137, r = − 0.877) correlations for its A, B respectively compared against D, this finding was not true to scapulae of other SSN types. Also, there were strong positive or negative (r > 0.7, r > − 0.7) correlations: for A, types I and III compared to type VI; for B, types I, III compared to VI; for C, type IV and VI; and for D, type III and VI. Conclusions The prevalence of completely ossified STSL is moderately high in the Ugandan population. Characteristics of the scapula (scapular dimensions) are not ‘vital’ but rather important or relevant for shoulder pathology with specific reference to suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome due to completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments. Further correlation analyses of scapular dimensions of different SSN types in different populations are important.

Morphometric study of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to the incidence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament

Background: Understanding of suprascapular notch (SSN) anatomy and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The study aimed to assess morphometry of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to scapulae with completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted on 50 Ugandan dry scapulae. SSN types and prevalence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament among dry scapulae were quantified and compared with previous data. Scapular dimensions were assessed by measuring scapular length (A), scapular width (B), glenoid length (C), and glenoid width (D). One-way ANOVA was used to compare scapular dimensions of scapulae with different SSN types, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation coefficient of scapular dimensions amongst groups. Results: Superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) was completely ossified in 8% of cases. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between scapular dimensions of scapulae with completely ossified STSL compared to scapulae with other SSN types. Scapulae with completely ossified STSL showed strong negative (r = -0.89137, r = -0.877) correlations for its A, B respectively compared against D, this finding was not true to scapulae of other SSN types. Also, there were strong positive or negative (r > 0.7, r > -0.7) correlations: for A, types I and III compared to type VI; for B, types I, III compared to VI; for C, type IV and VI; and for D, type III and VI. Conclusions: The prevalence of completely ossified STSL is moderately high in the Ugandan population. Characteristics of the scapula (scapular dimensions) are not ‘vital’ but rather important or relevant for shoulder pathology with specific reference to suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome due to completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments. Further correlation analyses of scapular dimensions of different SSN types in different populations are important.

A Study on Morphology of Suprascapular Notch with Specific Emphasis on Completely Ossified Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament

Background and Aim The superior border of scapula is marked by suprascapular notch which is bridged by suprascapular ligament. Beneath this ligament, passes the suprascapular nerve. Narrow notch and completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament is one of the risk factors for suprascapular nerve entrapment. This study is done to study morphological variation of suprascapular notch. Knowledge of various types of suprascapular notch will help the clinician in early diagnosis and surgical treatment. Materials and Methods A total of 525 human scapulae of unknown age and sex were studied for morphology of suprascapular notch at the Department of Anatomy, GMERS medical college, Vadnagar and at B. J. Medical College, Ahmedabad. Photographs of various types of suprascapular notch were taken using digital camera and classified as per the Rengachary classification. Result In the present study, as per Rengachary classification, out of 525 scapulae, the most common is Type III (47.1%), least common is Type V (1.9%), and completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament is Type VI (8.9%). Conclusion Knowledge of various types of suprascapular notch will help the physician in screening high-risk patients as well as diagnosis and treatment of suprascapular nerve entrapment disorder.