Study on the incidence of occurrence of the ossification of superior transverse scapular ligament with its clinical implication

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Supra scapular notch is present on the superior border of the scapula. It gives passage to thesuprascapular nerve. The supra scapular notch is bridged by the superior transverse scapular ligament andconverted into supra scapular foramen. Ossification of this superior transverse scapular ligament may compressor entrap the suprascapular nerve which is passing through the foramen. The present study was undertaken tofind out the incidence of occurrence of the ossification of superior transverse scapular ligament.Materials and methods: 89 scapulae were collected from the Department of Anatomy, Deccan College of MedicalSciences, Hyderabad. Damaged scapulae were excluded. All the scapulae were examined to note the incidence ofoccurrence of the ossification of the transverse scapular ligament and also any variations of it.Results: 15 scapulae were bearing ossified superior transverse scapular ligament in which 6 were of the rightside and 6 were of the left side. Duplication of the superior transverse scapular ligament was observed in one leftscapula. Incomplete ossification was observed in 2 scapulae 1 on the right and another on the left side.Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, ossification of the transverse scapular ligament is not veryrare in this populations group. So, the knowledge about the ossification of superior transverse scapular ligamentand the risk of supra scapular nerve entrapment is very much essential for the physicians and the surgeons whiledealing with these cases.