Sonography of the glenoid labrum: A cadaveric study with arthroscopic correlation

OBJECTIVE. We assessed the usefulness of sonography in evaluating the gleno id labrum in cadaveric specimens using arthroscopy as a standard of referen ce. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Eighty labral quadrants in 20 cadaveric shoulders we re examined by two musculoskeletal radiologists using 5- to 7-MHz linear an d curvilinear transducers. Agreement was reached by consensus. After sonogr aphy, arthroscopy was per formed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Each labral quadrant was classified at the time of sonography and arthroscopy a s normal, degenerated, or torn. RESULTS. Concordance between sonography and arthroscopy was 86% (69/80 quad rants). In differentiating abnormal labrum (tear or degeneration) from nor mal labrum using sonography, sensitivity was 63%, specificity was 98%, posi tive predictive value was 94%, negative predictive value was 86%, and accur acy was 88%. In differentiating labral tears from other labral conditions ( degeneration or normality), sensitivity was 67%, specificity was 99%, posit ive predictive value was 67%, negative predictive value was 99%, and accura cy was 98%. CONCLUSION. Sonography has a promising role in the evaluation of the glenoi d labrum, particularly in excluding labral tears when the labra appear norm al on sonography. Fur ther studies are required using normal and symptomati c patients to determine the usefulness of sonography in the diagnosis of la bral abnormalities.