Bone marrow edema in the greater tuberosity of the humerus at MR imaging: association with rotator cuff tears and traumatic injury

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of bone marrow ed ema in the greater tuberosity of the humerus on MR imaging, the association with other findings at MR imaging and the injury mechanism which can lead to this finding. Subjects and methods: MR reports from 863 patients referred for shoulder MR I over 74 months were reviewed to identify patients with marrow edema in th e greater tuberosity. The MR images from patients with greater tuberosity m arrow edema were reviewed by consensus of two radiologists for the extent o f marrow edema acid for associated injuries. Marrow edema in the greater tu berosity was seen in 11 of 863 patients (1.3%). Nine patients (82%) had ass ociated rotator cuff tear by MR imaging (four full thickness and five parti al thickness), one patient had avulsion of the greater tuberosity from the humerus, and one had no rotator cuff abnormality. History of trauma was rep orted by eight patients including fall without direct blow to the shoulder (6), car accident (1) and direct blow to the top of the shoulder (1). Marro w edema in the greater tuberosity is an infrequent finding. Marrow edema mo st often is associated with a history of trauma and with rotator cuff abnor malities including full thickness tears. The history of trauma without dire ct blow to the shoulder and the location of the edema indicates that marrow edema often results from avulsion injury by the supraspinatus tendon. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc, All rights reserved.