Suprascapular notch morphology in the pediatric population: a computed tomography study

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Pediatric Radiology
• Skeletal Development

Background:

• The suprascapular notch, a key anatomical landmark on the scapula, exhibits significant morphological variability.
• The developmental trajectory of the suprascapular notch, particularly in pediatric populations, remains poorly understood.
• Existing literature lacks detailed characterization of suprascapular notch morphology in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and characterize the morphology of the suprascapular notch in a pediatric cohort.
• To determine if suprascapular notch development occurs postnatally.
• To establish a classification system for pediatric suprascapular notch morphology using computed tomography.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 291 pediatric chest computed tomography (CT) examinations (patients < 18 years).
• Inclusion criteria: complete scapular visualization, absence of artifacts or scapular pathology.
• Morphological classification based on visual assessment and measurements into five types (I-V), including a "discreet notch" (Type V).

Main Results:

• 173 CT examinations met the inclusion criteria (60 females, 113 males).
• The most prevalent suprascapular notch types were Type V (discreet notch, 65.0%) and Type III (wider than deeper, 32.9%).
• Children with Type V notches were significantly younger; a positive correlation between age and notch dimensions was observed in Types I-III.

Conclusions:

• This study presents the first CT-based description of suprascapular notch morphology in a pediatric population.
• Findings confirm that suprascapular notch morphology undergoes significant postnatal development.
• The classification system provides a basis for further research into the clinical implications of suprascapular notch variations in children.