Lipoma in the subscapularis muscle causing scapular malposition.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Scapular malposition and winging are typically associated with neuromuscular conditions.
• Soft tissue tumors are rarely considered a cause of scapular dyskinesis.

Observation:

• A 70-year-old woman presented with left shoulder pain, fatigability, and asymmetric scapular positioning, including medial border prominence and altered motion.
• Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a ventral scapular mass.

Findings:

• Pathological examination confirmed the mass as a lipoma originating from the subscapularis muscle.
• Surgical resection of the lipoma resulted in immediate pain relief and improved scapular motion.

Implications:

• This case highlights that subscapularis lipomas can cause scapular malposition and dyskinesis.
• Soft tissue tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained scapular abnormalities.