MR anatomy of the subcoracoid bursa and the association of subcoracoid effusion with tears of the anterior rotator cuff and the rotator interval

OBJECTIVE. We describe the MR anatomy of the subcoracoid bursa and findings associated with subcoracoid effusion. CONCLUSION. Fluid in the subcoracoid space, revealed on MR imaging of the s houlder, may lie in the subcoracoid bursa or the subscapularis recess (both structures can be distinguished with MR imaging). In our patients, subcora coid effusions were often associated with anterior rotator cuff tears, incl uding tears of the rotator interval.