Clinical evaluation of the shape of the suprascapular notch—an ultrasonographic and computed tomography comparative study: Application to shoulder pain syndromes

Abstract

The most common site of suprascapular nerve compression and injury is the suprascapular notch. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of sonography in determining the type of suprascapular notch (SSN). Thirty randomized patients (60 upper extremities) underwent USG examination of the shoulder area. The results were further compared with three-dimensional reconstructions of the scapulae obtained through CT examination to place the SSNs within a fivefold classification. For identification of type I, the sensitivity was 73.3% and the specificity 97.8%. For identification of type III, the values was 96.9% and 85.7%, respectively. Type II was not found in USG examination. Discrimination between type IV and V was not possible. The mean distance between the line connecting the edges of the SSN and the skin was 38 mm in right-handed patients and 34 mm in ambidextrous subjects. Ultrasonographic examination of the SSN is characterized by high specificity for type I, and high sensitivity for type III SSN. Discrimination between type IV and V of the SSN is not recommended based on sonographic evaluation.

The co-occurrence of a four-headed coracobrachialis muscle, split coracoid process and tunnel for the median and musculocutaneous nerves: the potential clinical relevance of a very rare variation

“…Morphological variations of the scapula are also quite common. These usually apply to the acromion, glenoid process and subscapular notch [20,23,34,39,40,[42][43][44]. In contrast, no morphological variability of the coracoid process has been observed so far; most studies concern morphometric measurements [18,22,24].…”

“Pseudo-suprascapular notch”: is it a sonographic trap in suprascapular nerve block?

“…We can speculate that difficulties in nerve recognition may be caused by confusing the suprascapular notch with the pseudo-suprascapular notch . Ultrasound images of these structures do not vary distinctly as they both contain a vessel which is used as an important ultrasound landmark 23. Analysis of the morphology, that is, the depth, width and shape, of the structure does not allow unequivocal identification of the structure being scanned.…”

The Influence of Suprascapular Notch Shape on the Visualization of Structures in the Suprascapular Notch Region: Studies Based on a New Four-Stage Ultrasonographic Protocol

“…Ultrasonographic investigation may recognize not only the presence but also the shape of the suprascapular notches [ 4 , 13 ]. According to Polguj et al [ 13 ] this method is characterized by high specificity for the recognition of deep-shape suprascapular notches (97.8%) and high sensitivity in recognizing wide-shape notches (96.9%).…”