INDIRECT MR ARTHROGRAPHY IN THE EVALUATIO N OF TEARS OF THE GLENOID LABRUM

Indirect MR arthrography in the evaluation of tears of the glenoid lab rum. Purpose: It has been shown that intravenous administration of con trast media produces an MR arthrographic effect without the need for i ntraarticular injection. This is the first study evaluating this new t echnique of indirect MR arthrography in the diagnosis of glenoid labru m tears. Methods: 28 patients with clinically suspected labral injurie s were prospectively investigated (1.5 Tesla, flexible surface coil). A plain MR examination of the shoulder (transverse and oblique-coronal orientation, T-1-weighted spin-[T-E/T-R 15/675], proton density-and T -2-weighted gradient echo [T-E/T-R/Flip 14,32/600/ 30 degrees] sequen ces) and indirect MR arthrography (transverse and oblique-coronal orie ntation, fat-suppressed T-1-weighted spin-echo sequences [T-E/T-R 15/6 75], intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine [0.1 mmol/kg], followed by 10-15 min of joint movement) were performed. Results were confirmed by arthroscopy and/or open surgery. Results: Indirect MR ar thrography significantly improved delineation of the glenoid labrum an d hyaline cartilage (p <0.05). Sensitivity and specificity of indirect MR arthrography in the diagnosis of labral injuries were 90% and 89%, compared to 79% and 67% of the native MR examination. Conclusion: Ind irect MR arthrography is a promising non-invasive technique in the eva luation of the glenoid labrum.