Suprascapular nerve entrapment

1991 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 893-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Callahan ◽  
Thomas B. Scully ◽  
Scott A. Shapiro ◽  
Robert M. Worth

✓ Suprascapular nerve entrapment is an acquired neuropathy secondary to compression of the nerve in the bony suprascapular notch. A series of 27 cases, the largest reported to date, is presented and examined as to the best and most appropriate method of diagnosis and treatment. The entity is described in detail as to its origin, anatomy, and pathophysiology.

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 1020-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Antoniadis ◽  
Hans-Peter Richter ◽  
Stefan Rath ◽  
Veit Braun ◽  
Gerald Moese

✓ Suprascapular nerve entrapment (SNE) in the suprascapular notch is a rare entity that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of radicular pain, as well as that of shoulder discomfort. Over a period of 10 years (1985–1995), the authors treated 28 cases of SNE in 27 patients by surgical decompression of the nerve. One patient underwent operation bilaterally within 5 years. Five patients presented with a history of trauma to the shoulder region. In three patients, a ganglion cyst was the origin of the nerve lesion. In 16 patients, the nerve problem was primarily related to athletic activities. Eight of these patients were professional volleyball players. In the remaining three patients, there was no relationship between the nerve lesion and trauma or athletic activities. Twenty-one patients (22 cases) complained of pain located over the suprascapular notch. Seventeen patients had paresis and atrophy of both the supraspinatus (SS) and infraspinatus (IS) muscles. In 10 patients only the IS muscle was involved. One patient exhibited a sensory deficit over the posterior portion of the shoulder. Electromyography was performed in all cases. The mean follow-up period in the 25 cases (24 patients) that could be evaluated was 20.8 months (range 3–70 months). Nineteen of 22 cases with preoperative pain could be evaluated. Sixteen of these patients were completely free of pain after surgery and three patients found their pain had improved. Motor function in the SS muscle improved in 86.7% and motor function in the IS muscle in 70.8% of cases. Atrophy of the SS muscle resolved in 80.7% and atrophy of the IS muscle in 50% of cases. Surgical treatment of SNE is indicated after failed conservative treatment and in cases of atrophy of the SS and IS muscles. The authors recommend the posterior approach, which minimizes risks and complications and produces good postoperative results.


1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Shupeck ◽  
Burton M. Onofrio

✓ In an effort to increase the beneficial results from decompressive surgery for suprascapular nerve entrapment, an anterior approach has been developed which minimizes manipulation of the suprascapular nerve and maximizes visualization while the decompression is being carried out. The technique and results in three patients are described.


1975 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence J. Clein

✓ The author describes the syndrome of suprascapular nerve entrapment neuropathy that occurs as that nerve passes beneath the transverse scapular ligament, and discusses the anatomy, comparative anatomy, and five case histories. The cardinal findings include pain in the shoulder, weakness, and wasting of spinati muscles, and a positive electromyogram. Treatment is by division of the transverse scapular ligament.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (03) ◽  
pp. 155-156
Author(s):  
O. Azu ◽  
D. Ofusori ◽  
E. Naidu ◽  
J. Naidu

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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Polguj ◽  
Marcin Sibiński ◽  
Andrzej Grzegorzewski ◽  
Michał Waszczykowski ◽  
Agata Majos ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adesanya Olamide Adewale ◽  
Okeniran Olatayo Segun ◽  
Ibe Michael Usman ◽  
Ann Lemuel Monima ◽  
Eric Simidi Kegoye ◽  
...  

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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