Pseudo-arthrosis of the spine of the scapula: a case report with a delayed diagnosis

Abstract

Scapular spine fractures are rare injuries. The aim of this study was to evaluate a late-diagnosed scapular spine pseudo-arthrotic patient. Because of the surrounding soft tissue mass and overlapping of the scapula with the thoracal bones on a roentgenogram, diagnosis may be missed or delayed for years. We present a case of scapular spine pseudo-arthrosis in a 50-year-old man, who sustained a traffic accident 2 years ago. He was treated as a soft tissue injury of the left shoulder and later as a rotator cuff tear. His scapular spine fracture was diagnosed as pseudo-arthrosis of the scapular spine with a diagnostic delay of 2 years. Isolated scapular spine fractures are rare, usually associated with other injuries and frequently treated non-operatively. Sagging of the acromion as a result of a scapular spine fracture may mimic supraspinatus outlet impingement. If a painful pseudo-arthrosis limits the function of a shoulder, fractured ends should be fixed until union occurs. Although scapular spine fractures are rarely seen, they must take place in the differential diagnosis of impingement syndromes of the shoulder.