IMAGING THE LONG HEAD OF BICEPSTENDON - A PICTORIAL ESSAY EMPHASIZINGMAGNETIC-RESONANCE

Lesions of the long head of the bicepstendon (BT) are seen in associat ion with tears of the rotator-cuff, particularly lesions of the subsca pularis tendon and the rotator-interval. The frequency of positive MR- findings at the BT is approximately 25%. The pathologic alterations in clude complete medial luxation, subluxation and entrapment by the subs capularis tendon, tendinitis dr tendovaginitis and lesions at the orig in of the tendon at the superior labrum (superior labrum anterior to p osterior (SLAP)-lesions). The imaging signs of BT pathology on MR incl ude an abnormal course and position of the tendon, alterations in shap e and changes in signal-intensity (SI), obliteration and thickening of the tendon-sheath. In long standing intra-articular BT rupture, neo-i nsertion of the tendon in the bicipital sulcus may ensue. The long BT needs to be visualized in transaxial, coronal oblique and sagittal obl ique projections. Besides serving as stabilizer of the long head of bi ceps muscle, the BT is also an important stabilizer of the anterior jo int capsule. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.