Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsSuperior 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.ConclusionsThe 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.
Highlights
Understanding of suprascapular notch (SSN) anatomy and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome
The prevalence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) is moderately high in the Ugandan population
Prevalence of scapulae with completely ossified STSL is moderate and scapulae with type III SSN are the most prevalent in the Ugandan population In examining the frequencies and percentages of SSN types, the highest prevalence is of type III (51%) among the whole population
Summary
Understanding of suprascapular notch (SSN) anatomy and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The suprascapular notch (SSN) forms a depression on the lateral aspect of the superior border of the scapula, medial to the coracoid process [4], is bridged by the superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL), which may sometimes be completely ossified with a resultant conversion of the notch into a foramen [4] This foramen serves as a passage to the suprascapular nerve (SN) that supplies sensory branches to the rotator cuff and motor branches to the supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles [4, 5], it provides sensory innervation to the acromioclavicular joint and ligaments, glenohumeral joint, and associated ligaments [6]. This is due to dimension and shape factors related to the SSN and suprascapular foramen (SSN morphometric features) [7, 13]
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