Vol 69, No 4 (2010)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2010-12-01
The suprascapular notch: its morphology and distance from the glenoid cavity in a Kenyan population
S.R. Sinkeet, K.O. Awori, P.O. Odula, J.A. Ogeng’o, P.M. Mwachaka
Folia Morphol 2010;69(4):241-245.
Vol 69, No 4 (2010)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2010-12-01
Abstract
The morphology of the suprascapular notch has been associated with suprascapular
entrapment neuropathy, as well as injury to the suprascapular nerve
in arthroscopic shoulder procedures. This study aimed to describe the morphology
and morphometry of the suprascapular notch. The suprascapular notch
in 138 scapulae was classified into six types based on the description by Rengachary.
The suprascapular notch was present in 135 (97.8%) scapulae. Type III
notch, a symmetrical U shaped notch with nearly parallel lateral margins, was
the most prevalent type, appearing in 40 (29%) scapulae. The mean distance
from the notch to the supraglenoid tubercle was 28.7 ± 3.8 mm. This varied
with the type of notch, being longest in type IV (30.1 ± 1.8 mm) and shortest
in type III (27.3 ± 2.3 mm). The mean distance between the posterior rim of
the glenoid cavity and the medial wall of the spinoglenoid notch at the base of
the scapular spine was found to be 15.8 ± 2.2 mm. Type III notch was the
most prevalent, as found in other populations. In a significant number of cases
the defined safe zone may not be adequate to eliminate the risk of nerve injury
during arthroscopic shoulder procedures, even more so with type I and II notches.
(Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 241-245)
Abstract
The morphology of the suprascapular notch has been associated with suprascapular
entrapment neuropathy, as well as injury to the suprascapular nerve
in arthroscopic shoulder procedures. This study aimed to describe the morphology
and morphometry of the suprascapular notch. The suprascapular notch
in 138 scapulae was classified into six types based on the description by Rengachary.
The suprascapular notch was present in 135 (97.8%) scapulae. Type III
notch, a symmetrical U shaped notch with nearly parallel lateral margins, was
the most prevalent type, appearing in 40 (29%) scapulae. The mean distance
from the notch to the supraglenoid tubercle was 28.7 ± 3.8 mm. This varied
with the type of notch, being longest in type IV (30.1 ± 1.8 mm) and shortest
in type III (27.3 ± 2.3 mm). The mean distance between the posterior rim of
the glenoid cavity and the medial wall of the spinoglenoid notch at the base of
the scapular spine was found to be 15.8 ± 2.2 mm. Type III notch was the
most prevalent, as found in other populations. In a significant number of cases
the defined safe zone may not be adequate to eliminate the risk of nerve injury
during arthroscopic shoulder procedures, even more so with type I and II notches.
(Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 4: 241-245)
Keywords
suprascapular notch; glenoid cavity; suprascapular nerve entrapment
Title
The suprascapular notch: its morphology and distance from the glenoid cavity in a Kenyan population
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 69, No 4 (2010)
Article type
Original article
Pages
241-245
Published online
2010-12-01
Page views
701
Article views/downloads
1679
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2010;69(4):241-245.
Keywords
suprascapular notch
glenoid cavity
suprascapular nerve entrapment
Authors
S.R. Sinkeet
K.O. Awori
P.O. Odula
J.A. Ogeng’o
P.M. Mwachaka