Noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging of superior labral lesions - 102 cases confirmed at arthroscopic surgery

Previous studies report that noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging is limi ted in the evaluation of the superior glenoid labrum. From our magnetic res onance imaging database of 2552 patients, we prospectively identified 104 p atients with superior labral lesions who subsequently went on to arthroscop ic surgery. Magnetic resonance images were assessed to identify fraying, fl ap tears, bucket-handle tears, or displaced flap of fibrocartilage. The bic eps tendon was also evaluated, Patients were categorized according to Snyde r's classification, and the findings on the magnetic resonance images were correlated with surgical findings. One hundred of the 104 tears suspected o n the images were confirmed at surgery. There were four false-positives and two false-negatives, the former reflecting one normal labrum, two meniscoi d-type labra, and one sublabral foramen, With arthroscopic surgery as the s tandard, magnetic resonance imaging had a sensitivity of 98.0% (100 of 102) , a specificity of 89.5% (34 of 38), and an accuracy of 95.7% (134 of 140) for detection of superior labral lesions. We concluded that high-resolution noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging can accurately diagnose superior la bral lesions and aid in surgical management.