Morphometric study of the suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in adult Malawian cadavers and implications of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament

INTRODUCTION: the anatomy of the suprascapular notch and its relationship to scapular dimensions are critical in the management of suprascapular neuropathies. Individuals show considerable differences in the dimensions of the suprascapular notch across populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the morphology and morphometric dimensions of the suprascapular notch in adult Malawian cadavers and to suggest clinical implications associated with complete ossification of the suprascapular ligament. METHODS: adult dry scapulae from undetermined sex specimens (n=125) obtained from the skeletal collection at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences were classified according to the Rengachary categorization method to assess the suprascapular notch superior transverse distance, mid transverse distance, depth, scapula length and width using a standard Vernier caliper. RESULTS: the most prevalent suprascapular notch class was type I, which was found in 46 (36.8%) of all scapulae. Type VI was the least common, found in only 1 (0.8%) of the scapulae. The mean notch superior transverse distance was 1.3 ± 0.6 cm, while the mean maximum depth was 0.6 ± 0.3 cm. Only the differences in depth, however, were statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: the current study has described the morphology and morphometry of the suprascapular notch in relation to the risk of suprascapular nerve entrapment associated with complete ossification of the suprascapular ligament. Our sample population generally showed smaller suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions than other populations. This should be considered during the management of suprascapular neuropathy and preoperative planning of surgical operations of the shoulder region.