title: Scapular fracture complicating suprascapular neuropathy: the role of computed tomography with 3D reconstruction.
abstract: We report the case of a 43-year-old man who sustained a head injury with left frontal hematoma after being hit by a falling steel plate. He had persistent left shoulder pain but plain film could not clearly demonstrate the suspected scapular fracture, which was finally confirmed by 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructed computed tomography (CT). With the presence of fractures at the base of the coracoid process and the neck of the glenoid process of the scapula, suspected suprascapular neuropathy was confirmed by nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Despite atrophied muscle bulk of the supraspinatus, the patient showed good functional results after nonsurgical treatment. We suggest the use of CT with 3D reconstruction in patients with persistent shoulder pain, marked weakness and suspected scapular fracture not clearly demonstrated on plain film for better evaluation of the extent and complication of the fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: Chi-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Chin-Teng
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Howard Haw-Chung
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Lan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D012540:Scapula / Q000293:injuries*; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*