Covariations between scapular shape and bone density in B‐glenoids: A statistical shape and density modeling‐approach

Abstract B‐type glenoids are characterized by posterior humeral head migration and/or bony‐erosion‐induced glenoid retroversion. Patients with this type of osteoarthritic glenoids are known to be at increased risk of glenoid component loosening after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). One of the main challenges in B glenoid surgical planning is to find a balance between correcting the bony shape and maintaining the quality of the bone support. This study aims to systematically quantify variabilities in terms of scapular morphology and bone mineral density in patients with B glenoids and to identify patterns of covariation between these two features. Using computed tomography scan images of 62 patients, three‐dimensional scapular surface models were constructed. Rigid and nonrigid surface registration of the scapular surfaces, followed by volumetric registration and material mapping, enabled us to develop statistical shape model (SSM) and statistical density model (SDM). Partial least square correlation (PLSC) was used to identify patterns of covariation. The developed SSM and SDM represented 85.9% and 56.6% of variabilities in terms of scapular morphology and bone density, respectively. PLSC identified four modes of covariation, explaining 66.0% of the correlation between these two variations. Covariation of posterior–inferior glenoid erosion with posterior sclerotic bone formation in association with reduction of bone density in the anterior and central part of the glenoid was detected as the primary mode of covariation. Identification of these asymmetrical distribution of bone density can inform us about possible reasons behind glenoid component loosening in B glenoids and surgical guidelines in terms of the compromise between bony shape correction and bone support quality.