LABRAL INJURIES - ACCURACY OF DETECTION WITH UNENHANCED MR-IMAGING OFTHE SHOULDER

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the accuracy of unenhanced magnetic r esonance (MR) imaging in the detection and localization of labral inju ries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred three patients with clinicall y suspected shoulder injuries were prospectively examined with unenhan ced MR imaging. A combination of gradient-echo and high-resolution fas t-spin-echo axial pulse sequences were used. Surgical correlation was obtained in all patients. RESULTS: At surgery, 37 torn anterior, 36 to rn superior, and 19 torn posterior labra were identified. The sensitiv ity for detection of these tears with MR imaging was 100%, 86%, and 74 %, respectively; the specificity was 95%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. Overall, unenhanced MR imaging was 95% accurate in the detection of l abral injuries. CONCLUSION With appropriate pulse sequences, unenhance d MR imaging of the shoulder is an accurate technique for the detectio n and localization of labral injuries.