Indirect MR arthrography in the diagnosis of lesions of the labrum glenoidale

Abstract

It has been shown that intravenous administration of contrast media produces an MR arthrographic effect without the need for intraarticular injection. This is the first study evaluating this new technique of indirect MR arthrography in the diagnosis of glenoid labrum tears. 28 patients with clinically suspected labral injuries were prospectively investigated (1.5 Tesla, flexible surface coil). A plain MR examination of the shoulder (transverse and oblique-coronal orientation, T1-weighted spin- [TE/TR 15/675], proton density- and T2*-weighted gradient echo [TE/TR/Flip 14,32/600/30 degrees] sequences) and indirect MR arthrography (transverse and oblique-coronal orientation, fat-suppressed T1-weighted spin-echo sequences [TE/TR 15/675], 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. Indirect MR arthrography significantly improved delineation of the glenoid labrum and 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. Indirect MR arthrography is a promising non-invasive technique in the evaluation of the glenoid labrum.