Spinoglenoid notch cyst (SNC) is a rare type of disease in joint surgery, often presenting as non-specific shoulder joint pain. In severe cases, it may be accompanied by limited movement and limb numbness. Usually, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electromyography (EMG) examinations are relied upon for a definite diagnosis. If the shoulder pain and discomfort still cannot be relieved after conservative treatment, surgical resection can be considered. In the past, conventional incision surgery was performed, which caused significant trauma, could not repair the torn labrum, and the symptoms could not be completely relieved, with a high recurrence rate of cysts. In recent years, arthroscopic SNC resection has become the mainstream surgical approach for SNC because it can simultaneously treat labral injury and the cyst wall and has a low recurrence rate.

To explore the classification, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of SNC.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data and follow-up results of 8 patients with Spinoglenoid notch cysts who were hospitalized and underwent surgical treatment at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2018 to December 2024. Among them, there were 6 males and 2 females. The age ranged from 21 to 63 years, with an average of 45. There were 6 cases of right shoulder and 2 cases of left shoulder. There were 3 cases of combined suprascapular nerve injury, 3 cases of rotator cuff injury (supraspinatus muscle, subscapular muscle), and 5 cases of SLAP injury (type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ). All patients were treated with arthroscopic shoulder surgery to remove cysts. Depending on the injury of the rotator cuff and labrum, the rotator cuff and labrum were sutured if necessary.

One patient was excluded due to a follow-up of less than 12 months, and eventually, 8 patients were included. The average follow-up period was 46.1 months. The average operation time was (150.6±38.2) min, the average surgical blood loss was (53.8±16.2) ml, and the surgical incision achieved primary grade A healing. At the 1-year follow-up after the operation, MR reexamination showed no recurrence of the Spinoglenoid notch cyst. At the last follow-up, the Constant-Murley score was (90.6±5.2) points, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery score was (91.0±4.2) points.

This study first proposed the classification of glenoid incision cysts. This classification is helpful for preoperative planning. The arthroscopic technique for the resection of glenoid cysts causes less trauma and has a good clinical effect.