Electrodiagnostic evidence of suprascapular nerve recovery after decompression

Muscle Nerve. 2019 Feb;59(2):247-249. doi: 10.1002/mus.26354. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical arthroscopic decompression or ultrasound-guided aspiration of a paralabral cyst would result in suprascapular nerve recovery from axonal regeneration based on electrodiagnostic testing.

Methods: Nine patients with preoperative electromyography (EMG) evidence of suprascapular neuropathy due to paralabral cysts at the suprascapular or spinoglenoid notch were prospectively studied. Eight patients underwent arthroscopic surgical decompression, and 1 patient underwent ultrasound-guided aspiration. Postoperative EMG was performed in all patients to evaluate nerve regeneration.

Results: Three (33%) patients had cysts at the suprascapular notch, whereas 6 (67%) patients had cysts at the spinoglenoid notch. All patients showed complete electrophysiological recovery after decompression.

Discussion: Decompression of paralabral cysts at the suprascapular or spinoglenoid notch resulted in postoperative EMG evidence of nerve recovery. Long-term studies with a greater number of patients are required to elucidate time to recovery. Muscle Nerve 59:247-249, 2019.

Keywords: decompression; electromyography; nerve recovery; paralabral cyst; suprascapular nerve.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cysts / complications
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Electromyography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / etiology
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / surgery*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Recovery of Function / physiology*
  • Shoulder / innervation
  • Shoulder Joint
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Analog Scale