Degenerative changes of the coracoacromial(CA) arch were investigated in 114 dry scapulae from 57(male 35 female 22) Korean cadavers The cadavers were of individuals who had ranged In age from 18 to 97 years(average age of 67) The types of degenerative changes could be classified into facet and spur types Degenerative changes occured in 51.9%(bilateral 29.6% unilateral 22. 2%) of the individuals with both acromions intact and in 41.4% of the scapulae with intact acromion The frequency of degenerative changes was higher m the males but there was no significant difference between the sides Among the scapulae with degenerative changes m the CA arch 43.5% showed single facet type degeneration and both single spur-type and compound degenerative changes occurred in 28.3% respectively of the total number of degenerative changes facet-type degeneration was the most common(67.4%) followed by spur-type on the acromion(34.8%) and spur-type on the coracoid process(28.3%) Frequencies of degenerative changes of the CA arch according to age bracket were 0.0% for 10~39 47.5% for 40~69 and 44.3% for 70~99 Thus it was confirmed that the CA arch is most likely to develop degenerative changes after 40 years of age Profile shapes of the acromion were classified into curved(86.5%) hooked(8.1%) and flat(5.4%) types The incidence of degenerative changes of the CA arch was highest in the curved acromion but the rate of occurrence of the degenerative changes was highest in the hooked acrormion Compared to the normal condition the morphometric characteristics of the scapulae showing degenerative changes of the CA arch were as follows 1) The acromion is wider and the slope of the scapular spine is smaller 2) the angle between the root and the horizontal part of the coracoid process is smaller 3) most diameters of the acromial articular surface and the glenoid cavity are greater.
Acromion ; Cadaver ; Female ; Glenoid Cavity ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Scapula ; Spine

Nonoperative treatment of scapular body fractures has shown good clinical results. Although scapula fractures of the inferior angle, particularly with oblique lines from the medial proximal to lateral distally, are very rare, we believe that such a fracture pattern would be regarded as an avulsion fracture of the serratus anterior muscle requiring surgery. We have experienced three cases demonstrating pseudowinging of the scapula due to displacement of the inferior angle fracture of the scapula. Surgical repair or plating showed satisfactory clinical results. Through these cases, we describe the cause of winging scapula and the problems resulting from an avulsion fracture of the serratus anterior muscle with a review of the relevant literature and explain the reason that an operation is needed for this fracture pattern.
Scapula*

The present study was performed to provide an anatomical basis of the coracoacromial (CA) arch and the articular surfaces of the scapula which can be applied to the diagnosis and treatment of some common shoulder problems. The standard dimensions and the range of variation of the CA arch, the acromial articular surface and the glenoid cavity were investigated in 114 dry scapulae obtained from 57 (male, 35 ; female, 22) Korean cadavers ranging in age from 18 to 97 years (average age of 67). The results were as follows : 1. The length (46.3mm), width(25.2mm), thickness (8.2mm) and height (4.5mm) of the acromion were measured. The length, width and thickness were significantly larger in the males. The slope of the acromion was 51.5°, and the slope of the scapular spine was 118.5°. 2. The height (13.5mm), slope of the root (138.4°) and the horizontal part (25.3°) of the coracoid process, and the angle between the root and the horizontal part (106.6°) were measured. There were no significant differences between sexes and sides in all morphometric values related to the coracoid process. 3. The length (67.6mm) and height (24.7mm) of the CA arch, the height of the CA ligament from the supraglenoid tubercle (13.1mm), and length of the CA ligament (27.6mm) were measured. Both the length and height of the CA arch and the length of the CA ligament were significantly larger in the males. The slope and anterior and posterior angles of the CA arch were 16.8°, 42.2°, and 34.7°, respectively. 4. The long (13.8mm) and short (8.0mm) diameters of the acromial articular surface were measured, and both diameters were significantly longer in the males. The acromial articular surface was 8.4mm away from the tip of the acromion and extended 1.4mm inferiorly below the inferior surface of the acromion. 5. The long (34.8mm) diameter, and superior (15.0mm), middle (19.5mm), and inferior (25.6mm) short diameters of the glenoid cavity were measured. The long and both superior and inferior short diameters were significantly longer in the males.
Acromion ; Cadaver ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Glenoid Cavity ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Male ; Scapula* ; Shoulder ; Spine

Acromial fractures are well-documented complications subsequent to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), and most appear as stress fractures with no history of single trauma. To date, no study has reported the occurrence of acute displaced acromial fracture due to sudden strong deltoid contraction during heavy work. Displacement of the fracture results in a challenging surgery since it is difficult to obtain adequate fixation in thin and osteoporotic bones. We report a rare case of acute displaced acromial fracture after successful RSA treatment, using a novel technique of open reduction and internal fixation, applying two 4.5 mm cannulated screws and lateral clavicle precontoured plate.
Acromion ; Arthroplasty ; Clavicle ; Fractures, Stress ; Scapula ; Shoulder

Supraspinatus outlet view and thirty-degree caudal tilt view have been used for the diagnosis of rotator cuff disease. Because scapula is moving on the thoracic cage, these two views are not always easy to take. The purposes of this study were to investigate the detectability of these views, to compare both views and to observe the interobserver reliability of these views. Supraspinatus outlet views and thirty-degree caudal tilt views were taken from 66 shoulders with clinically diagnosed rotator cuff disease. The shape of the acromions was examined on the supraspinatus outlet views and the size and shape of the acromions were analyzed on the thirty-degree caudal tilt views. An orthopaedic resident, an orthopaedic staff and a radiologic staff reviewed the all films without knowing the opinions of others. Suprapinatus outlet views were not-acceptable in average 43.9% and thirty-degree caudal tilt view were not-acceptable in average 12.6%. All of the three observes had same opinions in 43.9% for the supraspinatus outlet views, and in 45.5% for in thirty-degree caudal tilt views. Disagreement among all three observes was noticed in 13.6% for the supraspinatus outlet views and in 3.0% for in thirty-degree caudal tilt views. In the supraspinatus outlet views, the hooked acromions appeared in average 12.1%. In the thirty-degree caudal tilt view, acromial spurs appeared in average 27.3%. Only 2.5% in average showed hooked acromion on supraspinatus outlet view and acromial spur on thirty-degree caudal tilt view. Thirty-degree caudal tilt view is easier to take and more reliable than supraspinatus outlet view. In is better to take both supraspinatus outlet view and thirty-degree caudal tilt view for each patients with rotator cuff diseases. Radiologic findings should be judged on the base of clinical feature.
Acromion ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Rotator Cuff ; Scapula ; Shoulder

OBJECTIVE: To suggest a safer and easier technique of suprascapular nerve block by assessing anatomical relationship of the suprascapular notch from a view point of surface anatomy. METHOD: Fourteen shoulders of seven cadavers were dissected in prone position. The scapular notch was exposed and the articular branch of suprascapular nerve was observed. The length and depth of spine, height and relative position of scapular notch were measured for all of the specimen. RESULTS: The length of the spine was 11.45+/-0.72 cm. The injection point was measured as relative position of scapular notch on the spine. The ratio between distance from medial border of the spine to injection point and from the injection point to posterior angle of acromion was 1.89+/-0.2: 1. The depth of the spine, which was defined as the shortest vertical distance from the injection point to the scapula was 2.69+/-0.43 cm, and the vertical distance from this contact point to the base of the scapular notch, e.g. the height of the scapular notch, was 1.18+/-0.1 cm. CONCLUSION: We expect we could perform suprascapular nerve block easily and safely with suggested surface landmarks and measured data in this study.
Acromion ; Cadaver* ; Nerve Block* ; Prone Position ; Scapula ; Shoulder ; Spine

Fractures of the acromial process or the coracoid process of scapula are rare, and this is usually the result of direct trauma to the shoulder. This type of fracture is often neglected, but it can be detected by performing careful evaluation. We report here on an unusual case involving a fracture of the coracoid process along with concomitant acromial fracture.
Scapula ; Shoulder

The authors report two unusual tumors detected in the right scapula and around left aciatic nerve. Although fibromatosis is benign tumor, the nature is notorious for an aggreasive clinical couras with a tendency to recur in high percentage. Recently we have encountered two instances of fibromatosis, and presented with abort discussion of the clinical pathologic aspects with some review in literatures.
Fibroma ; Scapula

We, herein, present a patient with no history of trauma who developed shoulder pain after undergoing low-voltage electric shock. According to the computed tomography, there was a multi-segmental fracture that extended into the glenoid cavity of the left scapula. A good outcome was obtained after open reduction and internal fixation. Emergency physicians should be aware of the possibility of scapular fracture extending into the glenoid cavity, especially in patients with shoulder pain after electrical injury.
Electric Injuries ; Emergencies ; Glenoid Cavity* ; Humans ; Scapula ; Shock* ; Shoulder Pain

Arthroscopic treatment of shoulder instability involves two techniques mainly, transglenoid suture technique and anterior anchoring system. However, anterior anchoring system has some disadvantages such as limited indication, high cost, technical difficulty and incapability to suture or reconstruct for all types of Bankart lesion. Disadvantages of transglenoid suture techniques are indirect suture tie, bump effect and possibility of the suprascapular nerve injury. The authors use modified transglenoid suture technique (Rhees method) for shoulder instability involving Bankart lesion, type II SLAP lesion and capsular laxity. The purpose of this study is to accurately describe the relationship between the major neurovascular structures and the pinning sites used in transglenoid suture technique (Rhees method). Placement of two or three arthroscopic Beath pinning sites was simulated in four fresh cadaveric shoulder specimens by placing Steinman pins into the glenoid rim under open field. The specimens were then dissected and the relationship of the pinning sites to the suprascapular nerve and suprascapular artery were recorded. In Bankart lesion repair, safe zone of pinning sites were 2 and 5 oclock in two portals in right shoulder, safe zone of pinning sites were 7 and 10 oclock in two portals in left shoulder. Safe direction of pinning was as possible as inferomedial side in scapula. In type II SLAP repair, safe zone of pinning sites were 2 oclock and just above 2 oclock of glenoid in right shoulder and 10 oclock and just above 10 oclock of glenoid in left shoulder. Safe direction of pinning was pararell to glenoid cavity and slightly superior in horizontal plane. From this study, these sites and directions appeared to be safe. Proper pinning depends on careful attention to the topographical anatomy about the shoulder.
Arteries ; Cadaver* ; Glenoid Cavity ; Scapula ; Shoulder ; Suture Techniques* ; Sutures*