MRI-Evaluation of Suprascapular Notch Morphometry and Its Clinical Applications

Thaer M Farhan,Huda Rashid Kamoona

doi:10.52916/jmrs214036

Abstract

The suprascapular notch, a depression on the lateral part of the superior border of the scapula, medial to the coracoid process, is covered by the superior transverse scapular ligament, which is converted into a foramen. Sometimes it might be ossified forming a complete osseous foramen. The Suprascapular Notch (SN) served as a passage for the Suprascapular Nerve (SSN). Study the morphology of the suprascapular notch and the suprascapular transverse ligament based on MRI, variations in shape and dimensions of the suprascapular notch. A group of 100 patients underwent MRI examination of the scapular region through the period from 10th July 2019 to 15th Feb 2020. Different morphological types of the suprascapular notch were encountered in the study, the most common type was type III, while type I was less common in the study. The symmetry of the morphological feature of SN bilaterally was seen in 51% of the cases. Conclusively, the symmetry of the suprascapular notch is not a constant feature bilaterally.

Highlights

The suprascapular notch, a depression on the lateral part of the superior border of the scapula, medial to the coracoid process, is covered by the superior transverse scapular ligament, which is converted into a foramen
According to the above-mentioned dimensions, the Suprascapular Notch (SN) is categorized into the following types based on their morphology and measurements: Type I: Maximal Depth (MD) dimension is longer than Superior Transverse Diameter (STD) (Deeper notch) Type II: MD and STD are equal Type III: STD is longer than MD (Wider notch) Type IV: Osseous foramen by a bony bridge Type V: Discrete (Shallow) notch, Figure 2 (Illustration of SN types)
Regarding the morphology of the suprascapular notch; SN, the following percentage of occurrence were encountered in the study: Type I: MD dimension is longer than STD, seen in 48 out of 200 scapulae (Figure 4)

Summary

Introduction

The suprascapular notch, a depression on the lateral part of the superior border of the scapula, medial to the coracoid process, is covered by the superior transverse scapular ligament, which is converted into a foramen. Sometimes it might be ossified forming a complete osseous foramen. The Suprascapular Notch (SN) serves as a passage for the Suprascapular Nerve (SSN) [13]. The Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament (STSL) forms the roof of the suprascapular notch, which is the most common location of entrapment of the suprascapular nerve, a cause of shoulder pain and weakness [3,4] (Figure 1). The shape and size of the Suprascapular Notch (SN) are one of the most important risk factors in suprascapular nerve entrapment [7,8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion