The variant course of the suprascapular artery

The suprascapular artery (SSA) has been identified to be of clinical relevance in surgical intervention and fracture healing of the shoulder. Despite the classic description of its course and relation to the superior transverse scapular ligament, it is subject to much variation. The aims of this study were: (i) to describe the course of the SSA in relation to the superior transverse scapular ligament, (ii) to determine the prevalence of the course of the SSA in relation to the superior transverse scapular ligament, (iii) to determine the prevalence of the variant origin of the SSA in cases presenting with variant course of the latter, and (iv) to establish a difference in laterality and that between adults and foetuses. The course of the SSA was investigated through the macro- and microdissection of the antero- and postero-superior shoulder regions of 31 adult and 19 foetal cadaveric specimens (n = 100). The SSA was observed to pass inferior to the superior transverse scapular ligament accompanied by the suprascapular nerve (20%), which corroborated the findings of previous studies. Subsequently, this variant course of the SSA also appeared to present with the variant origin of it in many instances (13%): from the 3rd part of the subclavian artery (4%), 1st part of the axillary artery (2%), 2nd part of the axillary artery (5%) and SSA (2%). Injury to the SSA may cause more serious trauma than that of arteries which are isolated from the great vessels, therefore the recognition and knowledge of variation in the origin and course of the SSA is significant in the treatment of diseases in the shoulder and cervical regions. Furthermore, the accompaniment of the suprascapular nerve with the SSA at the suprascapular notch inferior to the superior transverse scapular ligament may lead to neuropathy syndromes due to the pulsation of the artery against the nerve within the confined notch. Copyright © 2014 Via Medica.