title: Suprascapular notch morphology in the pediatric population: a computed tomography study.
abstract: Suprascapular notch is characterized by variable morphology. However, its development is not well studied. We hypothesize that it proceeds postnatally. Thus, the aim of this research was to characterize the morphology of the suprascapular notch in a pediatric population based on computed tomography. A retrospective analysis was performed of 291 chest computed tomography examinations of patients under 18 years old taken following other clinical indications. The inclusion criteria were as follows: both scapulae encompassed in a field of view; no artifacts; no pathologies concerning the scapulae. Based on visual assessment and measurements, the suprascapular notch was classified according to a fivefold classification (type I, deeper than wider; type II, equally deep and wide; type III, wider than deeper; type IV, bony foramen; type V, discreet notch). In all, 173 examinations were included (60 females and 113 males). The most common suprascapular notch types were discreet notch (type V, 225 scapulae; 65.0 %) and type III (114 scapulae; 32.9 %). Children with type V suprascapular notch were significantly younger than children with other types (26.1 ± 42.4 months vs. 111.2 ± 66.7 months; p < 0.05). In types I-III, a positive correlation was found between age and dimensions of the suprascapular notch (p < 0.05). This study provides the first description of the suprascapular notch in a pediatric population based on computed tomography. It confirms that morphology of the suprascapular notch undergoes postnatal development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, ul. Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338, Lodz, Poland. michal.podgorski@umed.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Podgórski
authors.affiliation: Department of Angiology, Interfaculty Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polguj
authors.affiliation: Department of Normal and Clinical Anatomy, Interfaculty Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Topol
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, ul. Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kusak
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute, ul. Rzgowska 281/289, 93-338, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Łukaszewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grzelak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D063405:Anatomic Variation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012540:Scapula / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Bone maturation; Children; Computed tomography; Development