DYNAMIC ARTHRO-CT IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF REC URRENT SUBLUXATION OF THE SHOULDER

''Dynamic'' double contrast arthro-CT in inernal and external rotation was performed on 42 patients with recurrent subluxation of the should er. The differential distribution of contrast and air caused by the ro tation resulted in optimal demonstration of the capsulo-labral compone nts responsible for joint stability. In 22 patients there appeared to be an indication for arthroscopy; this confirmed the previous findings . In all cases the anterior part of the capsule and the middle and low er labrum were seen best during internal rotation. In this way all the 15 anterior capsule lesions could be seen, as well as 16 out of 17 Ba nkart lesions; it also showed one lesion of the middle labrum which ha d been masked by a haemarthrosis during external rotation. The study a lso defined lesions of the upper labrum caused by a different patholog ical mechanism which was present in 7 patients (6 Andrews and 1 S.L.A. P. lesion). These and 2 posterior labrum tears could be diagnosed duri ng external rotation. Sensitivity for lesions of the anterior labrum w as 95 %.