Variations in the Course and Diameter of the Suprascapular Nerve: Anatomical Study

Marta Montané-Blanchart, Maribel Miguel-Pérez, Lourdes Rodero- de-Lamo, Ingrid Möller, Albert Pérez-Bellmunt and Carlo Martinoli
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Marta Montané-Blanchart: Unit of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Unity of Histology, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Bellvitge Campus), University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Maribel Miguel-Pérez: Unit of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Unity of Histology, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Bellvitge Campus), University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
Lourdes Rodero- de-Lamo: Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Ingrid Möller: Instituto Poal, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
Albert Pérez-Bellmunt: Basic Sciences Department, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08017 Barcelona, Spain
Carlo Martinoli: Cattedra di Radiologia “R”-DICMI, Universita di Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: (1) Background: Suprascapular neuropathy is an important factor contributing to shoulder pain. Given the prevalence of nerve injury and nerve block in the suprascapular notch region, as well as the frequency of arthroscopic procedures on the suprascapular notch, which are recommended in shoulder pain management, its morphology is relevant from a clinical perspective. (2) Methods: Suprascapular nerve course was studied in twelve shoulders by dissection. Its diameter was measured at omohyoid level, proximal to the suprascapular notch and distal to the spinoglenoid notch. A multi-vari chart was used in order to descriptively visualize the results. The variations found were analyzed with a mixed linear model. (3) Results: In two of the six subjects, the suprascapular nerve was divided into two motor branches proximal to the superior transverse scapular ligament. An increase in diameter around the suprascapular notch was detected, with an estimated difference between diameter means of 2.008 mm at the suprascapular notch level and 2.047 mm at the spinoglenoid notch level. (4) Conclusions: A difference in the estimated diameter detected and the fact that the motor branches, which innervate supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle, were divided proximal to the suprascapular notch may be relevant in the diagnosis and treatment of suprascapular neuropathy and arthroscopic procedures.

Keywords: suprascapular nerve; peripheral nerves; shoulder; dissection; anatomic variation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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