European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 22 - Number 2
Eur J Anat, 22 (2): 127-134 (2018)

3D computed tomographic mapping of ossified transverse scapular ligaments and their relationship to coracoid, glenoid and acromion: Landmarks assisting safe release for suprascapular nerve decompression

Sonia S. Kharay1, Anu Sharma1, Kavita Saggar2

1Department of Anatomy, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana (Punjab), India, 2Department of Radiology, Dayanand Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana(Punjab), India

ABSTRACT Operative treatment of suprascapular nerve (SSN) entrapment consists of decompression of the nerve by surgical release of superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) and spinoglenoid ligament (SGL). The surgical explorations rely on the relationship of anatomic landmarks such as coracoid, glenoid and acromion to these ligaments. Anatomical data for the relationship of bony landmarks to ossified STSL and ossified SGL are deficient. The aim of our study was to quantify the radio-anatomic distances from ossified STSL and ossified SGL to bony landmarks.Multidetector CT (128-slice) scans of dry scapulae having ossified superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) and ossified spinoglenoid ligament (SGL) were acquired. 3D volume rendered reconstruction of ossified suprascapular ligaments, and their distances from Coracoid, Glenoid and Acromion were recorded. In addition, morphometric parameters of unusual bony tunnels in the supraspinous fossa were documented. Twenty-seven dry scapulae having ossified transverse scapular ligaments and two scapulae having bony tunnels were evaluated. The length of ossified ligaments was 1.31-2.31 cm and width was 0.3-0.9 cm. The distances from lateral edge of ossified ligaments to Coracoid was 3.92-4.42cm, to Glenoid was 1.37-3.01cm and to Acromion was 4.43-5.92cm.Knowledge of the 3D morphometry of ossified transverse scapular ligaments described in this study will be helpful in planning their safe endoscopic and open resection. This study uniquely quantifies a rare variant of SGL and bony tunnels in supraspinous fossa.

Keywords: Nerve entrapment â?? Suprascapular notch â?? Spinoglenoid notch â?? Ossified superior transverse scapular ligament â?? Ossified spinoglenoid ligament

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)