MRI of shoulder instability: Review article

Document Type : Reviews Articles.

Authors

Department of Radio-diagnosis, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Glenohumeral (GH) instability is a common entity that primarily affects young active populations and athletes in particular. Shoulder dislocation occurs when the humeral head is forced out of the glenoid fossa. Once the soft tissues supporting the shoulder become loose or torn, the shoulder joint becomes prone to dislocations.  Various imaging techniques are available for the evaluation of shoulder joint abnormalities including plain radiographs, conventional arthrography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, MRI and MR arthrography. Magnetic resonance imaging is considered the best modality for assessment of shoulder joint pathology as it provides superior multiplaner capability and exceptional soft tissue contrast. MR arthrography, in particular, is more superior to conventional (non-arthrographic) MRI for the detection of the assessment of labral tears and articular cartilage damage. We have searched literatures in PubMed, Google scholar, Egyptian bank of knowledge and science direct.
Conclusion: Various imagingtechniques are useful in assessment of shoulder instability. MRI and MR arthrography are considered the imaging modalities of choice for such cases as they provide superior soft tissue contrast in addition to the benefit gained form joint distension in MR arthrography allowing for better assessment of the labrum.

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