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

Abstract 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.

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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

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-020-03769-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Adesanya Olamide Adewale ◽

Okeniran Olatayo Segun ◽

Ibe Michael Usman ◽

Ann Lemuel Monima ◽

Eric Simidi Kegoye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

Nerve Entrapment ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Specific Reference ◽

Suprascapular Notch ◽

Entrapment Syndrome ◽

Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment ◽

Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament ◽

Nerve Entrapment Syndrome

Abstract 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.

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Ossification of the superior transverse ligament in a South African scapula: a factor to be considered in the diagnosis of suprascapular nerve entrapment

Journal of Morphological Sciences ◽

10.4322/jms.087415 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (03) ◽

pp. 155-156

Author(s):

O. Azu ◽

D. Ofusori ◽

E. Naidu ◽

J. Naidu

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

Critical Factor ◽

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

Nerve Entrapment ◽

Clinical Anatomy ◽

Shape Variation ◽

Suprascapular Notch ◽

Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment ◽

Shoulder Region ◽

Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament

Abstract Introduction: Ossification of the superior transverse scapular ligament is one of the factors considered in the classification of the suprascapular notch based on shape. Variation in morphology of the superior transverse scapular ligament is always considered a critical factor in the diagnosis of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. Case Report: This study reports the complete ossification of the superior transverse scapular ligament in a South African scapula and a note on its clinical anatomy. Conclusion: This anatomical knowledge is of extreme clinical relevance to surgeons in relation to various syndromes associated with the shoulder region in the South African population.

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The Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament in Fetuses

Anatomy Research International ◽

10.1155/2013/323194 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-3

Author(s):

José Aderval Aragão ◽

Luiza Neves de Santana Teles ◽

Ana Bárbara de Jesus Chaves ◽

Jéssica Cândida Oliveira Prado ◽

Priscila Soares Pereira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

The Body ◽

Human Fetuses ◽

Suprascapular Notch ◽

Left Half ◽

Optical Instruments ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Length Measurements ◽

Thickness Measurements ◽

Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament

Introduction. The superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) links the margins of the suprascapular notch and converts it into a foramen, through which, the suprascapular nerve and, on some rare occasions, the suprascapular vessels pass. This conversion often results from partial or complete ossification of the STSL and may produce compressive symptoms in the suprascapular nerve. Material and Method. Twenty shoulders from human fetuses were dissected without the aid of optical instruments and, using a digital pachymeter of precision 0.01 millimeters, length measurements and thickness measurements were made. The fetal age was from 21 to 33 weeks of gestation, with a mean of 27.6±4.14 weeks. Results. There was no statistically significant difference in STSL length or any difference in the thicknesses at the medial and lateral extremities between the halves of the body (P≥0.05). However, in the left half of the body, the medial extremity of the STSL was significantly thinner than the lateral extremity (P≤0.05). Conclusion. Anatomical and morphometric details about the STSL were described in human fetuses. These findings, in fetuses, may encourage the pursuit of further studies to understand the morphofunctional role and meaning of this small ligament.

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Morphological and Radiological Study of Ossified Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament as Potential Risk Factor of Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/613601 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Michał Polguj ◽

Marcin Sibiński ◽

Andrzej Grzegorzewski ◽

Michał Waszczykowski ◽

Agata Majos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

Nerve Entrapment ◽

Potential Risk Factor ◽

Suprascapular Notch ◽

Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment ◽

Suprascapular Foramen ◽

The Right ◽

Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament

The suprascapular notch is covered superiorly by the superior transverse scapular ligament. This region is the most common place of suprascapular nerve entrapment formation. The study was performed on 812 specimens: 86 dry scapulae, 104 formalin-fixed cadaveric shoulders, and 622 computer topography scans of scapulae. In the cases with completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament, the following measurements were performed: proximal and distal width of the bony bridge, middle transverse and vertical diameter of the suprascapular foramen, and area of the suprascapular foramen. An ossified superior transverse scapular ligament was observed more often in men and in the right scapula. The mean age of the subjects with a completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament was found to be similar than in those without ossification. The ossified band-shaped type of superior transverse scapular ligament was more common than the fan-shaped type and reduced the space below the ligament to a significantly greater degree. The ossified band-shaped type should be taken into consideration as a potential risk factor in the formation of suprascapular nerve entrapment. It could explain the comparable frequency of neuropathy in various populations throughout the world despite the significant differences between them in occurrence of ossified superior transverse scapular ligament.

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– Anatomical pathology Sexual dimorphism of the suprascapular notch – morphometric study

Archives of Medical Science ◽

10.5114/aoms.2013.33173 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 177-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Michał Polguj ◽

Kazimierz S. Jędrzejewski ◽

Mirosław Topol

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Morphometric Study ◽

Suprascapular Notch ◽

Anatomical Pathology

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Morphometric study of suprascapular notch

National Journal of Clinical Anatomy ◽

10.4103/2277-4025.297885 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 140

Author(s):

R Vandana ◽

Sudha Patil

Keyword(s):

Morphometric Study ◽

Suprascapular Notch

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A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY OF SUPRASCAPULAR NOTCH AND ITS SAFE ZONE

International Journal of Anatomy and Research ◽

10.16965/ijar.2017.172 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (2.1) ◽

pp. 3766-3770

Author(s):

Shalom Elsy Philip ◽

◽

Dakshayani K.R ◽

Keyword(s):

Safe Zone ◽

Morphometric Study ◽

Suprascapular Notch

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Ossification of superior transverse scapular ligament - a case report

National Journal of Clinical Anatomy ◽

10.1055/s-0039-3401562 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 04 (03) ◽

pp. 155-157

Author(s):

Dibya Prabha Bara ◽

Swagatika Pradhan ◽

Rajashree Biswal ◽

Chinmayi Mohapatra

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Suprascapular Nerve ◽

Nerve Entrapment ◽

Suprascapular Notch ◽

Orthopaedic Surgeons ◽

Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment ◽

Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament

AbstractSuperior transverse scapular ligament (STSL), a small ligament which bridges over the suprascapular notch bears enormous stress during shoulder movements. This causes the ligament to ossifY thereby compressing the suprascapular nerve which passes beneath it. The ossification can occur partially or cnmpletely. Different shape of ossified STSL also affects the rate of compression of the nerve. Knowledge of ossified STSL may be helpful for radiologists, neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons in dealing with patients of suprascapular nerve entrapment.

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