Abstract:

Objective To research the anatomical classification of suprascapular notch based on CT 3D reconstruction and its clinical significance. Methods A total of 300 suprascapular (left 142, right 158) data were collected from Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University were measured based on CT 3D reconstruction. The suprascapular images were reconstructed by CT 3D technique, and the scapular morphological classification was made and geometric data were measured. Results Five types of suprascapular notch were found. Type Ⅰ(√, a total of 138 cases, 46%) was the most common, followed by type Ⅱ (U, a total of 125 cases, 41.7%), type Ⅲ(Ⅴ, a total of 20 cases, 6.7%), type Ⅳ(O, atotol of 10 cases, 3.3%) and type Ⅴ (Ω, a total of 7 cases, 2.3%), in addition, found W-shaped, double O-shaped each 1, because of the number was rare, it was not included in the classification. The average depth and width of the left suprascapular notch were (5.58±1.42) mm and (10.22±3.24) mm, and the right scapula were (6.02±1.87)mm and (10.81±3.35) mm, respectively(P<0.05). The width of the incision of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ was wider than that of the other three types, which were (12.46±3.20)mm and (9.95±2.68)mm, and P<0.05. In addition, the length of the vertical point from the lowest point of the suprascapular notch to the base of the scapula was different. Type Ⅰ (the shortest) was about (12.52±2.56) mm, and type Ⅲ(the longest) was about (14.48±4.29) mm. There was a statistical difference between type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ (P<0.05). Conclusion Based on the result of CT three-dimensional reconstruction, the suprascapular notch is divided into five types, which are √-shaped, U-shaped, Ⅴ-shaped, O-shaped, and Ω-shaped. The probability of suprascapular nerve compression in Ⅴ-shaped and O-shaped is more, on the contrary, the shape of the √-shaped and U-shaped compression is small.

Key words: Suprascapular notch, Variable morphology, Classification, CT 3D reconstruction, Human