Simple Linear Calculating Method of Glenoid Bone Defects Using 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Based on an East Asian Population in China

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of glenoid bone defects in the preoperative stage for patients with anterior shoulder instability is critical for surgical decision making. A novel method that predicts the intact glenoid width based purely on the measurement of the glenoid height has been advocated. Despite the convenience, all studies to date have focused on the Western population, and there is no similar research based on an East Asian population. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between glenoid height and width in an East Asian population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Spiral computed tomography (CT) scans of both sides of the shoulder joints were obtained from 205 patients of Han nationality (China) who had no history of shoulder trauma or pain. The maximal height and width of each glenoid were measured on the en face view by 2 radiologists who were blinded to each other’s results. Pearson correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression were calculated from all data measured to evaluate the relationship between maximal glenoid height and width between the sexes. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients (410 shoulder CT scans) were analyzed. The mean glenoid height was 34.45 ± 2.82 mm, and the mean glenoid width was 23.35 ± 2.40 mm. There was a statistical difference between male and female patients with regard to glenoid height (36.61 vs 32.39 mm, respectively; t = 9.76; P < .001) and width (25.26 vs 21.54 mm, respectively; t = 20.73; P < .001). Analysis of the measured glenoid height and width demonstrated a strong linear correlation of 0.82 (R (2) = 0.68; P < .001) for the entire cohort and similarly strong linear correlations when each sex was analyzed separately. For male patients, the glenoid width was measured as: glenoid height × 0.50 + 7 mm (R (2) = 0.36; P < .001); for female patients, the glenoid width was measured as: glenoid height × 0.45 + 7 mm (R (2) = 0.31; P < .001). CONCLUSION: In an East Asian population, the mean glenoid height and width were 34.45 and 23.35 mm, respectively. The formulas that represent the relationship between glenoid width and height for male and female patients are the following: glenoid width = glenoid height × 0.50 + 7 mm and glenoid width = glenoid height × 0.45 + 7 mm, respectively.