Ultrasonographic evaluation and morphometric measurements of the suprascapular notch

• Published in: Surgical and radiologic anatomy (English ed.) Vol. 31; no. 6; pp. 409 - 414
• Main Authors: Yücesoy, Cüneyt, Akkaya, Taylan, Özel, Özgür, Cömert, Ayhan, Tüccar, Eray, Bedirli, Nurdan, Ünlü, Ece, Hekimoğlu, Baki, Gümüş, Haluk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Springer-Verlag 01.07.2009; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Anatomy; Anatomy & physiology; Anthropometry; Biological and medical sciences; Female; General aspects; Humans; Imaging; Ligaments, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Original Article; Orthopedics; Radiology; Shoulder; Shoulder Joint - blood supply; Shoulder Joint - diagnostic imaging; Surgery; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Young Adult; Suprascapular nerve; Superior transverse scapular ligament; Ultrasound; Suprascapular notch; Morphometric measurements; Sonography; Evaluation; Notch receptor; Transverse ligament; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Echography; Morphometry; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0930-1038; 1279-8517
• DOI: 10.1007/s00276-008-0458-7

Background: The aim of this study was to define the sonographic evaluation and morphometric measurements of the suprascapular notch. Methods The suprascapular notch was evaluated by ultrasound on both sides in 50 volunteers (25 males, 25 females). By means of ultrasound, the notch width, the notch depth and the distance between the skin and the notch base (skin–notch base interval) were measured and imaging of the superior transverse scapular ligament was attempted. Furthermore, imaging of the suprascapular artery and vein was performed by Doppler ultrasound. Results On the measurements performed, the notch was found to be deeper in men than in women on both the right ( P  = 0.022) and the left ( P  = 0.011) sides. Taking all volunteers into account without grouping sex, no differences were detected between the two sides with respect to the measurements of the notch width, notch depth and distance between the skin and the notch base. The superior transverse scapular ligament was demonstrated in 48 (96%) of 50 volunteers. On color Doppler ultrasound, the artery–vein complex was visualized in a total of 43 (86%) volunteers. Conclusions Suprascapular notch measurements and the visualization of the anatomical neighborhood, which may be beneficial for the suprascapular nerve blockade procedure, can be successfully performed by the use of high-frequency ultrasound imaging.