Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of meniscoid superior labrum: normal variant or superior labral tear

Abstract

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the incidence of a "meniscoid" superior labrum.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 582 magnetic resonance imaging examinations of shoulders. Of those 582 examinations, 110 were excluded, for a variety of reasons, and the final analysis therefore included 472 cases. Consensus readings were performed by three musculoskeletal radiologists using specific criteria to diagnose meniscoid labra.ResultsA meniscoid superior labrum was identified in 48 (10.2%) of the 472 cases evaluated. Arthroscopic proof was available in 21 cases (43.8%). In 10 (47.6%) of those 21 cases, the operative report did not include the mention a superior labral tear, thus suggesting the presence of a meniscoid labrum. In only one of those cases were there specific comments about a mobile superior labrum (i.e., meniscoid labrum). In the remaining 11 (52.4%), surgical correlation demonstrated superior labral tears.ConclusionA meniscoid superior labrum is not an infrequent finding. Depending upon assumptions and the requirement of surgical proof, the prevalence of a meniscoid superior labrum in this study was between 2.1% (surgically proven) and 4.8% (projected). However, superior labral tears are just as common and are often confused with meniscoid labra.

Evaluation of variations of the glenoid attachment of the inferior glenohumeral ligament by magnetic resonance arthrography

“…While the imaging features of some anatomical variations of the labral aspect or in different capsular, tendinous, and perilabral shoulder attachment patterns, such as the biceps-labral complex, are well-known and have been intensively studied ( 8 , 9 ) , variations of the IGHL attachment to the anterior glenoid rim are less common research topics. Most studies in the radiology literature provide only a generic description of the glenoid attachment of the anterior and posterior bands of the IGHL, stating they emerge from the labrum at the middle and lower thirds of the glenoid ( 6 , 10 - 15 ) or simply from the glenoid rim ( 16 , 17 ) , and rarely do we find a more detailed description stating that they originate from the glenoid rim, labrum, and periosteum ( 2 ) .…”

Magnetic resonance arthrography: what is its importance in the present day?

“…The MRA examination has proven to be a diagnostic method of great sensitivity and specificity for the evaluation of conditions that affect intra-articular structures, such as instability of the capsuloligamentous structures of the shoulder, providing a more detailed evaluation of the changes to the articular cartilage surface and glenoid labrum ( 2 , 3 ) . In relation to the hip joint, MRA has also been the object of studies of femoroacetabular impingement, in which it has been shown to have excellent sensitivity and specificity for the staging of lesions of the articular cartilage and labrum ( 4 ) .…”