IMAGING OF BURSAE AROUND THE SHOULDER JOINT

The authors present a review of the anatomy of the major bursae around the shoulder joint and discuss the use of the different imaging modal ities which demonstrate their radiologic features. The calcified subac romial-subdeltoid bursa has a characteristic appearance on plain radio graphs. When inflamed it can be visualized by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, Calcific bursitis may involve the subcoracoid bursa . This bursa may mimic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder or complete rotator cuff tear when injected inadvertently during shoulder arthrog raphy. Less well known are three coracoclavicular ligament bursae. The se are also subject to calcific bursitis and have a typical radiologic appearance.