Three-dimensional mapping of scapular body, neck, and glenoid fractures Journal Article uri icon
Overview
abstract
  • OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to report patterns of scapular fractures and define them with a contemporary methodology. DESIGN: Retrospective study, 2015-2021. SETTING: Single, academic, Level 1 trauma center. PATIENT SELECTION CRITERIA: Consecutive patients ≥ 18 years, presenting with unilateral scapula fracture, with thin-slice ( ≤ 0.5-mm) bilateral computed tomography (CT) scans of the entirety of both the injured and uninjured scapulae. OUTCOME MEASURES AND COMPARISONS: Thin-slice (0.5-mm) CT scans of injured and normal scapulae were obtained to create three-dimensional (3D) virtual models. 3D modeling software (Stryker Orthopedics Modeling and Analytics, Stryker Trauma GmbH, Kiel, Germany aka SOMA) was used to create a 3D map of fracture location and frequency. Fracture zones were delineated using anatomic landmarks to characterize fracture patterns. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were identified with 75 (86%) extra-articular and 12 (14%) intra-articular fractures. The dominant fracture pattern emanated from the superior lateral border (zone E) to an area inferior to the spinomedial angle (zone B) and was present in 80% of extra-articular fractures. A second-most common fracture line propagated from the primary (most-common) line toward the inferior medial scapular border with a frequency of 36%. Bare zones (with 1 or no fractures present) were identified in 4 unique areas. Furthermore, intra-articular fractures were found to be heterogenous. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D fracture map created in this study confirmed that extra-articular scapular fractures occur in certain patterns with a relatively high frequency. Results provide greater insight into scapular fracture locations and may help to study prognosis of injury and improve treatment strategy including operative approaches and surgical tactics.

  • Link to Article
    publication date
  • 2024
  • published in
    Research
    keywords
  • Fractures
  • Orthopedics
  • Radiography
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Shoulder
  • Surgery
  • Additional Document Info
    volume
  • 38
  • issue
  • 2