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Ultrasonographic evaluation and morphometric measurements of the suprascapular notch

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Abstract

Background:

The aim of this study was to define the sonographic evaluation and morphometric measurements of the suprascapular notch.

Methods

The suprascapular notch was evaluated by ultrasound on both sides in 50 volunteers (25 males, 25 females). By means of ultrasound, the notch width, the notch depth and the distance between the skin and the notch base (skin–notch base interval) were measured and imaging of the superior transverse scapular ligament was attempted. Furthermore, imaging of the suprascapular artery and vein was performed by Doppler ultrasound.

Results

On the measurements performed, the notch was found to be deeper in men than in women on both the right (P = 0.022) and the left (P = 0.011) sides. Taking all volunteers into account without grouping sex, no differences were detected between the two sides with respect to the measurements of the notch width, notch depth and distance between the skin and the notch base. The superior transverse scapular ligament was demonstrated in 48 (96%) of 50 volunteers. On color Doppler ultrasound, the artery–vein complex was visualized in a total of 43 (86%) volunteers.

Conclusions

Suprascapular notch measurements and the visualization of the anatomical neighborhood, which may be beneficial for the suprascapular nerve blockade procedure, can be successfully performed by the use of high-frequency ultrasound imaging.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Ministry of Health Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Cüneyt Yücesoy & Baki Hekimoğlu

  2. Department of Anesthesia, Ministry of Health Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Taylan Akkaya, Özgür Özel, Nurdan Bedirli & Haluk Gümüş

  3. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayhan Cömert & Eray Tüccar

  4. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Ece Ünlü

  5. Mutluköy Sitesi 12, Sok. No.17, Ümitköy, Ankara, Turkey

    Cüneyt Yücesoy

Authors
  1. Cüneyt Yücesoy
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  2. Taylan Akkaya
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  3. Özgür Özel
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  7. Ece Ünlü
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  8. Baki Hekimoğlu
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  9. Haluk Gümüş
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Correspondence to Cüneyt Yücesoy or Ayhan Cömert.

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Yücesoy, C., Akkaya, T., Özel, Ö. et al. Ultrasonographic evaluation and morphometric measurements of the suprascapular notch. Surg Radiol Anat 31, 409–414 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0458-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0458-7

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