Journal Article

Neglected Sprengel’s deformity in an 80-year-old female cadaver: a case report

Matsushita, Masaki, Naito, Munekazu, Hatayama, Naoyuki, Otsuka, Shun, Tamaki, Yuki

2024

Overview

Background Sprengel’s deformity is a congenital abnormality of the shoulder girdle. Because scapular retraction, such as the Green procedure, is usually performed during childhood to improve esthetics and shoulder function, Sprengel’s deformity is rarely found in older patients. Case presentation We presented a unique case of a Japanese female cadaver with Sprengel’s deformity at the age of 80 years. Anatomical dissection and radiological imaging revealed musculoskeletal anomalies associated with Sprengel’s deformity, including Klippel–Feil syndrome, presence of an omovertebral bone, and absence of the trapezius muscle. In addition, bilateral cervical ribs were in contact with the brachial plexus. These anomalies may lead to numbness, pain, and limited range of motion of the neck and upper girdle with aging. Conclusions Because most adult patients with Sprengel’s deformity experience neck pain and limited movement of the shoulder, the presented case is a rare case of neglected Sprengel’s deformity in an 80-year-old cadaver.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,BMC
• Subject: Aged, 80 and over / Brachial Plexus - abnormalities / Brachial Plexus - diagnostic imaging / Cadaver / Cadaveric study / Case Report / Congenital Abnormalities - diagnostic imaging / Family Medicine / Female / General Practice / Genetic disorders / Humans / Internal Medicine / Klippel-Feil Syndrome - complications / Klippel–Feil syndrome / Medical research / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Medicine, Experimental / Omovertebral bone / Primary Care Medicine / Public Health / Scapula - abnormalities / Scapula - diagnostic imaging / Shoulder Joint - abnormalities / Sprengel’s deformity / Surgical Oncology