SUBSCAPULARIS TENDON AVULSIONS AND BICEPS TENDON DISLOCATIONS - A SERIES OF 45 PATIENTS

Our series consists of 45 lesions of the subscapularis tendon investig ated by arthrography and CT arthrography. Arthrography demonstrated op acification of the subacromial bursa in 24 % of cases, internal malpos ition of the long head of biceps in 46 % of cases and direct signs of a lesion of the subscapularis tendon in 91 % of cases. CT arthrography showed incomplete transverse avulsion in 18 % of cases and complete t ransverse avulsion in 82 % of cases. The biceps was dislocated in 35 % of cases, and subluxed in 11 % of cases. The subscapularis muscle was infiltrated by fat in 46 % of cases. Isolated lesions of the subscapu laris can be difficult to diagnose clinically and are more frequent th an generally thought. CT arthrography must therefore be requested at t he slightest doubt, as the intraoperative search for a lesion of the s ubscapularis tendon is sometimes difficult.