Suprascapular Nerve: Anatomical and Clinical Study

Abstract

The suprascapular nerve arises from the upper trunk (Erb’s point) of the brachial plexus in the posterior triangle of the neck.This research was conducted to study the anatomy of the suprascapular nerve in the scapular region and its relation to both suprascapular and spinoglenoid notches. This data is very important in suprascapular nerve block and suprascapular nerve surgical decompression. Dissection of 20 scapular regions of 10 formalin preserved male cadavers was done. Also thirty three adult patients; 26 males and 7 females suffering from vague shoulder pain subjected to suprascapular nerve surgical decompression. In all cadaveric specimens, careful dissection and anatomical study of suprascapular nerve regarding its course, distribution and relations was carried out. Origin of the nerve was demonstrated from upper trunk of the brachial plexus. Passage of the nerve through a narrow medial compartment of supraglenoid canal in all cases has been identified. Measurements of two important diameters relevant to suprascapular notch were also reported. The transverse scapular ligament was identified to be of uniform thickness. In the clinical study of all cases with suprascapular nerve entrapment regardless its etiology whether idiopathic or not, conservative therapy by means of the exercise was of limited value especially for the motor affection. All of the cases were subjected to surgical maneuverer to decompress the nerve. It is concluded that the anatomical findings allow better choice of the surgical procedure, more precise surgical dissection, better results and fewer complications.