Abstract
The acromion is classically described as one of the three scapular processes. Its antero-inferior aspect has been identified as the prime region of rotator cuff pathology. The purpose of this study was to determine the morphologic state of the acromion and the relative subacromial architecture within a South African population. The sample series comprised the morphological observation of one hundred and eighty-two scapulae specimens (n= 182). The classification scheme as stated by Bigliani et al. (1986) was employed. The morphometric architecture of the subacromial space was also investigated (n= 120). (a) Acromial Type: (i) Type I (flat inferior surface) 34.6%; (ii) Type II (curved inferior surface) 51.1%; (iii) Type III (hooked inferior surface) 14%. (b) Shape of the subacromial space: (i) rhomboid 60.8% (ii) triangular 10%, (iii) trapezoid 29.2%. Since this study investigated the acromial morphology and its association with the relevant demographic factors specific to the South African population, it may prove beneficial to the South African population as a whole. In addition, statistically significant differences were obtained for the correlation of several morphometric and morphological parameters of the subacromial architecture with age, sex, acromial type and shape of subacromial space. A unique trapezoidal subacromial space was also observed. As the variable acromial types and subacromial morphology have been reported to lead to the narrowed subacromial space and subsequent subacromial syndromes, the association between the respective morphometric and morphological parameters may provide predictive values to assist in the diagnosis and assessment of the cause of rotator cuff disease. KEY WORDS: Acromion; Morphology; Subacromial architecture; Morphometry. El acromion se describe clasicamente como uno de los tres procesos escapulares. Su aspecto antero-inferior ha sido identificado como la region principal de la patologia del manguito rotador. El proposito de este estudio fue determinar el estado morfologico del acromion y la arquitectura subacromial relativa dentro de una poblacion de Sudafrica. La muestra incluyo la observacion morfologica de ciento ochenta y dos escapulas (n= 182). Fue empleado el esquema de clasificacion segun lo reportado por Bigliani et al. (1986). La arquitectura morfometrica del espacio subacromial tambien fue investigada (n= 120). (a) tipo acromial: (i) tipo I (superficie inferior plana) 34,6%; (ii) tipo II (superficie inferior curva) 51.1% y (iii) Tipo III (superficie inferior enganchada) 14%. Forma del espacio subacromial: (i) romboide 60,8%; (ii) triangular 10%, y (iii) trapezoide 29,2%. Debido a que este estudio investigo la morfologia acromial y su asociacion con los factores demograficos pertinentes especificos de la poblacion sudafricana, puede resultar beneficioso para la poblacion de Sudafrica. Ademas, se obtuvieron diferencias estadisticamente significativas para la correlacion de varios parametros morfologicos de la arquitectura subacromial con la edad, sexo, tipo acromial y la forma del espacio subacromial y morfometrico. Tambien se observo un unico espacio subacromial trapezoidal. Como se ha informado de la variable acromial tipos y morfologia subacromial para dirigir al espacio subacromial estrechado y sindromes subacromial posteriores, la asociacion entre los respectivos parametros morfologicos morfometricos puede proporcionar valores predictivos para ayudar en el diagnostico y evaluacion de la causa de la enfermedad del manguito rotador. PALABRAS CLAVE: Acromion; Morfologia; Arquitectura subacromial; Morfometria.