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Published on: February 10, 2015
Association between acromion morphological parameters and rotator cuff tears in Somali population-a three-dimensional
Maslah Idiris Ali1, Yuan-Quan Chen1, Deng Xing-Hao1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sport Medicine Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 107 Yan Jiang Road West, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510120, People's Republic of China.
Shoulder morphology parameters like the critical shoulder angle (CSA) are linked to rotator cuff tears (RCTs) in the Somali population. Larger CSA and acromion index (AI), with smaller acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and lateral acromion angle (LAA), correlate with increased RCT risk.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Radiology
- Anatomy
Background:
- Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are associated with specific shoulder morphology parameters: acromion index (AI), critical shoulder angle (CSA), acromiohumeral distance (AHD), and lateral acromion angle (LAA).
- Previous studies on shoulder joint morphology and RCTs have been predominantly international, with a lack of research specific to the Somali population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and describe radiological parameters of acromion morphology in the Somali population.
- To investigate the relationship between these morphological parameters and the incidence of rotator cuff tears within this specific demographic.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 188 shoulder CT scans (2018-2023), comparing 107 patients with RCTs and 81 without.
- Utilized 3D-CT to measure AI, CSA, AHD, and LAA, assessing inter- and intra-observer reliability via ICC.
- Explored correlations between parameters and RCTs, and evaluated predictive value using ROC analysis.
Main Results:
- Excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability (ICC > 0.75), with CSA showing highest stability (ICC > 0.91).
- Significant positive correlations found between AI, CSA, and RCT presence (CSA: r=0.629, P<0.001).
- Significant negative correlations observed for AHD (r=-0.247) and LAA (r=-0.338) with RCTs (P<0.001).
- ROC analysis identified CSA as the most effective predictor for RCTs (AUC=0.857).
Conclusions:
- AI, CSA, AHD, and LAA are independent factors associated with rotator cuff tears in the Somali population.
- Larger AI and CSA, along with smaller AHD and LAA, increase the likelihood of RCTs.
- 3D-CT measurement of CSA is a valuable tool for predicting RCTs in patients with suspected shoulder disease.

