Scapulothoracic Dissociation: A Rare Variant: A Case Report

Scapulothoracic dissociation is a rare injury involving separation of scapula from the thorax along with the upper extremity. Majority of the patients have concomitant neurovascular injury and the prognosis is uniformly poor in such cases. We present a case of scapulothoracic dissociation with comminuted fracture of scapula and acromioclavicular joint disruption without neurovascular deficit. There were associated avulsion fractures of the spinous processes of vertebrae (T3-T5). Such presentation is rare in an already rare scapulothoracic dissociation injury. A discussion regarding the probable mechanism of injury, management and prognosis is presented

Disociación escapulotorácica traumática: una entidad para tener en cuenta en caso de trauma / Traumatic scapulothoracic dissociation: an entity to be considered in case of trauma

Traumatic scapulothoracic dissociation represents the separation of the scapula from the chest wall. The mechanism of this trauma involves a severe traction applied to the upper member which translates into neurovascular and musculoskeletal injuries secondary to trauma. This lesion often goes unnoticed for appearing in conjunction with major trauma or presenting with bizarre symptoms. On physical examination, patients exhibit swelling of soft tissue around the shoulder and upper limb. Lateral displacement of scapula greater than 1 cm is the classic radiological finding on thoracic imaging studies. The key is to compare the distance from medial borders of the scapula to midline (dorsal column).

La disociación escapulotorácica traumática como su nombre lo indica, se define como la separación de la escápula de la pared del tórax. El mecanismo de este trauma implica una tracción severa aplicada al miembro superior con lesiones neurovasculares y musculoesqueléticas secundarias. Esta lesión suele pasar desapercibida por presentarse en conjunto con traumas mayores o cursar con síntomas bizarros. Al examen físico, los pacientes presentan edema de tejidos blandos alrededor del hombro y de la parte superior de la extremidad. El hallazgo radiológico clásico en la radiografía de tórax es el desplazamiento lateral mayor a 1 cm de la escápula con respecto al tórax. La clave está en comparar la distancia de los bordes mediales de las escápulas en relación a una línea media en la columna dorsal.