ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2013 | Volume
: 5 | Issue : 2 | Page : 129--133
Anomalous origin and course of the suprascapular artery combined with absence of the suprascapular vein: Case study and clinical implications
Panagiotis Pyrgakis, Eleni Panagouli, Dionysios Venieratos
Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, 116 27 Athens, Greece
Correspondence Address:
Eleni Panagouli
Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, Mikras Asias Str. 75, 116 27 Athens
Greece
Abstract
Background: Variations concerning the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are numerous and present important clinical implications. Aim: In the present study the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are investigated in a sample of Greek (Caucasian) origin. Materials and Methods: The anatomy and course of the suprascapular artery were carefully examined in 31 adult human cadavers (16 male and 15 female). Results: Anomalous origin of the suprascapular artery from the third segment of the subclavian artery was observed in the right side of only one female Caucasian specimen (1/62 = 1.6%). The suprascapular artery and the suprascapular nerve passed together under the superior transverse scapular ligament through the suprascapular notch, whereas the suprascapular vein was absent. Conclusion: According to the available literature, this type of variation in the origin of the suprascapular artery is considered rare. This variation is clinically important, since it is related to the creation mechanism of suprascapular neuropathy and has also obvious surgical implications. The variation is embryologically enlightened and has an interesting ontogenic aspect.
How to cite this article:
Pyrgakis P, Panagouli E, Venieratos D. Anomalous origin and course of the suprascapular artery combined with absence of the suprascapular vein: Case study and clinical implications.North Am J Med Sci 2013;5:129-133
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How to cite this URL:
Pyrgakis P, Panagouli E, Venieratos D. Anomalous origin and course of the suprascapular artery combined with absence of the suprascapular vein: Case study and clinical implications. North Am J Med Sci [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Jun 7 ];5:129-133
Available from: https://www.najms.org/text.asp?2013/5/2/129/107534 |
Full Text
Introduction
According to classic anatomical textbooks, the suprascapular artery is the first (lower) branch of the thyrocervical trunk and runs transversely in the posterior cervical triangle, parallel, behind, and above the clavicle. [1] The artery first courses laterally, in front of the scalene anterior muscle and the phrenic nerve and then crosses anterior to the third part of the subclavian artery and the primary cords of the brachial plexus. [1] Then, it continues backward and skirt the inferior belly of the omohyoid muscle to reach the superior border of the scapula, where it normally passes over the superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL). [1] By this way, it reaches the supraspinous fossa and continues to the infraspinous fossa through the spinoglinoid notch. [1] At the dorsal scapula, it creates an important anastomotic network with the dorsal scapular artery (also known as deep branch of the transverse cervical artery) and the circumflex scapular branch of the subscapular artery. [1]
Normally, the suprascapular artery joins the suprascapular nerve near the middle half of the superior border of the scapula. [1] The nerve passes under the STSL and through the suprascapular notch, before entering the supraspinous fossa. [1] At the dorsal scapula the suprascapular artery and nerve run together supplying the same targets (supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles). [1] The suprascapular notch is located at the superior border of the scapula, medial to the base of the coracoid process, and is converted into a foramen by the STSL. [2]
Variations concerning the origin and course of the suprascapular artery are numerous and well described in the literature. A common trunk providing the suprascapular and the superficial cervical (also known as transverse cervical) artery has been described in 30% of the individuals, whereas in 28% of the cases both arteries arise directly from the thyrocervical trunk [3] (the transverse cervical artery, whenever it exists, provides both the superficial cervical and the dorsal scapular arteries [1] ). The origin of the suprascapular artery from different segments of the subclavian artery or from the axillary artery has been reported with a median incidence of 10%. [3] In the most common type, the artery arises from the subclavian artery, with an incidence between 2.8% [4] and 21.3%. [5] The suprascapular artery might also emerge from the internal thoracic artery (1-5.1%), [1],[5],[6] from the costocervical trunk (1%), [6] or from the dorsal scapular artery. [7]
There has also been a report of two cases of duplicated suprascapular arteries existing bilaterally-one rising from the thyrocervical trunk and one rising from the third part of the subclavian artery. [8] In both cases, the artery with normal origin had also a normal course, whereas the other one passed below the transverse scapular ligament. Finally, the suprascapular artery may be absent almost in 3% of the cases. [8]
The suprascapular vein accompanies the artery and usually lies ventral and superior to it. [1] The vein normally drains the same region as the corresponding artery, passes through the suprascapular notch, and finally flows into the external jugular vein (as a rule). [1] This anatomic region (dorsal scapula) may also be drained by the dorsal scapular vein (deep branch of the transverse cervical vein flowing into the jugular vein) and the circumflex scapular branch of the subscapular vein. [1]
In the present study, after a thorough examination of the suprascapular artery in a sample of Greek (Caucasian) origin, we describe one case of anomalous origin of the suprascapular artery from the third segment of the subclavian artery, combined with anomalous course under the transverse scapular ligament. Moreover, surprisingly enough, no suprascapular vein was detected, a very rare finding, which has never been mentioned in the available literature.
This specific arterial pattern is considered of major clinical importance since it can be related to undiagnosed shoulder pain and neurogenic malfunction of the shoulder's rotator cuff.
Materials and Methods
The anatomy and course of the suprascapular artery were carefully examined in 31 embalmed adult human cadavers of Caucasian (Hellenic) origin (16 male and 15 female). A total of 62 sides were dissected. The age of the specimens ranged between 39 and 98 years (average age 77.5 years, SD = ±11.107, SE = 1.385). All the cadavers were derived from body donation with informed consent, [9] written and signed with signature authentication by the donator himself. The dissection was performed for educational purposes. All donated cadavers were used; consequently, our specimens may be considered as randomly selected.
The proper dissection to reach and enlighten the suprascapular artery, without damaging the structures of the corresponding area, must follow this order: Platysma, external jugular vein, sternocleidomastoid and omohyoid muscles, internal jugular vein, vertebral artery, subclavian artery, thyrocervical trunk, suprascapular and superficial (or transverse) cervical arteries, phrenic nerve, anterior scalene muscle, primitive trucks of the brachial plexus, suprascapular nerve and vein, continuation of the subclavian artery, STSL, and the suprascapular notch.
All the distances were measured using calipers. To obtain the distances between the vessels, the center of the origin of each vessel was taken as the recordable point of origin.
Results
The left suprascapular artery presented the usual described course and origin in all cadavers.
On the right side of only one female cadaver (deceased at the age of 88 years), we observed at the right posterior cervical triangle an anomalous origin of the right suprascapular artery. The artery emerged from the third segment of the subclavian artery, very close to the first segment of the axillary artery and 4.7 cm distal to the origin of the thyrocervical trunk [Figure 1]. Because of this origin external to the scalene anterior muscle, the suprascapular artery did not cross superficially the phrenic nerve and the muscle, as usual, but it ran immediately in front of the brachial plexus and under the suprascapular nerve. The artery continued parallel to the nerve until it reached the suprascapular notch [Figure 1]. There, the suprascapular artery and nerve passed under the STSL into the suprascapular notch (converted by the ligament into a foramen). The STSL was found ossified to a great extent, converting the notch into a foramen. The ossification was examined physically: The STSL was harder than a fibrous tissue when pushed and squeezed; the percussion of the STSL with forceps created a pitched sound as if hitting a rock or bone and not a dull sound. Inside this foramen, the artery ran in front of the nerve. The artery was measured to be 7.6 cm from its origin to the foramen. Surprisingly, the suprascapular vein was absent.{Figure 1}
The frequency of the above-described variation was thus 1.6% (1/62 sides).
Discussion
Several types of anomalous origin of the suprascapular artery are extensively studied and quantified. The deviation from the normal pattern is not unusual, [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8] as the subclavian artery and different types of common arterial trunks had been described at different locations of origin. In the present study the suprascapular artery constituted a branch of the thyrocervical trunk in all but one case (1.6%, 1/62) where it emerged from the third segment of the subclavian artery (right side of a female cadaver), very close to the first segment of the axillary artery. According to the available literature, this type of origin seems to be one of the rarest. Mishra and Ajmani [10] reported that the suprascapular artery originated from the first part of the axillary artery with an incidence of 1.6% (1/60 sides, variation observed on the left side), whereas Adibatti and Prasanna [11] observed the same variation in one cadaver (male, left side) out of 30 studied. Additionally, Mahato [12] recorded a single case of anomalous bilateral origin of the suprascapular artery from the third part of the axillary artery.
Extensive studies [7],[13],[14] have been carried out on the subligamentous course of the suprascapular artery. According to Tubbs et al., [15] the suprascapular artery, accompanied by the suprascapular nerve, passes under the STSL with a median incidence of 2.5% (3/120). In one (male) cadaver, the finding was bilateral and in one other (also male) unilateral. [15] Yang et al. [16] classified the arrangement of the suprascapular vessels into three types: In Type I (59.4%), all suprascapular vessels ran over the STSL; in Type II (29.7%), the vessels ran over and under the STSL simultaneously (at least one vessel passed under or over the STSL); and in Type III (10.9%), all vessels ran under the STSL. Furthermore, three cases of the suprascapular artery passing through the suprascapular notch during endoscopic suprascapular nerve release have been reported by Reineck and Krishnan. [17]
Anomalous course of the suprascapular artery inside the suprascapular notch very frequently coexists with an ipsilateral variation in the origin of the artery. [1],[3] In particular, this variation was combined with anomalous origin from the subclavian or axillary artery. [2],[10],[11],[12] This was similar to the findings in the study of Adibatti and Prasanna. [11] Nevertheless, Mishra and Ajmani [10] observed three cases where the suprascapular artery coursed inside the notch, with only one of them combined with variation in the origin of the artery (1/60 = 1.6%). In the present study, the sole case of unusual origin of the suprascapular artery was indeed combined with its passage under the STSL (1.6%, 1/62).
In our case, variation of the artery's origin and course is accompanied by total absence of the suprascapular vein. This finding is not described in the available literature.
According to the available literature, the incidence of complete ossification of the STSL varied from 3.7% to 13.6%. [18] However, complete ossification of the STSL is exceptionally rare in some populations, such as in Alaskan Eskimos or Indians. [18] Duparc et al. [19] reported that STSL appeared calcified and rigid (not necessarily completely ossified) in 26.7% of the cases. The calcified STSL is considered to be a sign of entrapment. On the other hand, simultaneous ossification of the coracoid process and epiphysis, as observed mostly in Nigerian infants, might change the shape of the notch. [20]
Embryologically, all main vessels develop from a primary plexus of smaller ones. [15] The prevailing conditions lead some vessels to enlarge and form definitive channels and others to regress. [7] During this phase of development, it is possible that different patterns in the vessels may appear, including both the origin and/or the course of either arteries or veins.
An origin of the suprascapular artery in the vicinity of the thyrocervical trunk (either from the subclavian artery itself or from a common trunk with the transverse cervical artery) is by far the most common variation and at the same time the least interesting one from an anatomical or clinical viewpoint, since in this case the course and relations of the artery are hardly influenced. On the contrary, an origin of the suprascapular artery from the third part of the subclavian artery or from the axillary artery is rarer and clinically significant. Furthermore, this variation is frequently accompanied by the passage of the artery through the suprascapular notch.
Surgeries in the anterior neck and supraclavicular region, such us radical and modified neck dissections to control the lymphogenous spread of head and neck cancer, may require ligation of the suprascapular artery. Thus, knowledge of the possible variations in the origin and the course of the artery are very important. [21]
Clavicular fractures are fairly common and most often occur in the middle third of the bone. [22],[23],[24] The suprascapular artery supplies with blood the proximal 4/5 th of the clavicle and constitutes the exclusive blood supply for the middle 1/3 rd of the clavicle. [25] On doing so, it runs parallel, above and close to the clavicle, but not in touch with it. This usually avoids a disastrous damage of the artery during clavicular fractures. A direct origin of the suprascapular artery from the middle of the subclavian artery coursing below the clavicle merely enhances the probability of arterial damage during fracture of this bone. The seemingly illogical origin of the suprascapular artery from the thyrocervical trunk (since it results in its greater length) may be attributed to an effort to minimize the danger of its injury. If the suprascapular artery rises from an anomalous position it is possible that its unusual origin and course could either increase or decrease the danger of being damaged by a broken clavicle, according to the vicinity of this origin with the middle of the bone. In our case, the suprascapular artery emerged very close to the first segment of the axillary artery and almost behind the external third of the clavicle, which means that the usual middleclavicular break would not pose great danger to the artery. However, if the suprascapular artery arises from the internal thoracic, its ascending course behind the middle third of the clavicle could be extremely dangerous not only for the nutrient wigs of the bone but also for the whole suprascapular artery.
Inside the suprascapular notch, the suprascapular nerve is restrained by the transverse scapular ligament. This may lead to friction of the nerve, inflammation, and finally constriction of the nerve, leading to suprascapular neuropathy. [26] Factors such as ossification of the STSL and anomalous course of the suprascapular artery under the ligament could lead to a faster and more severe constriction of the nerve, since they reduce the capacity of the notch. [15] Chronically, this could lead to atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, limited decreasing abduction, and external rotation of the shoulder and chronic deep-seated pain in the shoulder that is aggravated with movement (suprascapular neuropathy symptoms). [27] Suprascapular neuropathy may of course occur by other mechanisms as well: For example, by mikroembols in the vasa nervosum of the suprascapular nerve engendered through a damage of the suprascapular artery. [10]
Thus, "unexplained" shoulder pain, namely pain not due to arthritis (inflammation of glenobrachial or acromioclavicular joints), or malfunction of the shoulder's rotator cuff must lead to investigation of an eventual neuropathy. Noticeably, in our case, in which the suprascapular vein is absent, the probability of a suprascapular neuropathy was reduced, since the suprascapular notch contained two items (artery and nerve) instead of three. However, the pulsing artery might produce minor annoyance to the nerve, especially when it contacts its sensitive fibers.
Conclusion
In a sample of 31 cadavers, we found a suprascapular artery rising in an anomalous way from the third part of the subclavian artery in the right side of only one cadaver (1.6%, 1/62). However, the sample (62 sides) is not big enough to identify the prevalence of the specific variation in the general population. The suprascapular artery exhibited a variation in its course, too, as it passed through the suprascapular foramen together with the suprascapular nerve. Both the variations in the origin and the course have already been reported in the past and should be considered as independent variations since they do not always appear together in the same individual. However, the variations in the origin of this artery are numerous and usually coexist with an abnormal course underneath the STSL. Surgeons and orthopedics should be familiar with these variations, which may complicate their task.
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