Abstract
ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the incidence of a "meniscoid" superior labrum.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of 582 magnetic resonance imaging examinations of shoulders. Of those 582 examinations, 110 were excluded, for a variety of reasons, and the final analysis therefore included 472 cases. Consensus readings were performed by three musculoskeletal radiologists using specific criteria to diagnose meniscoid labra.ResultsA meniscoid superior labrum was identified in 48 (10.2%) of the 472 cases evaluated. Arthroscopic proof was available in 21 cases (43.8%). In 10 (47.6%) of those 21 cases, the operative report did not include the mention a superior labral tear, thus suggesting the presence of a meniscoid labrum. In only one of those cases were there specific comments about a mobile superior labrum (i.e., meniscoid labrum). In the remaining 11 (52.4%), surgical correlation demonstrated superior labral tears.ConclusionA meniscoid superior labrum is not an infrequent finding. Depending upon assumptions and the requirement of surgical proof, the prevalence of a meniscoid superior labrum in this study was between 2.1% (surgically proven) and 4.8% (projected). However, superior labral tears are just as common and are often confused with meniscoid labra.
Highlights
The clinical diagnosis of superior glenoid labrum pathology is difficult[1,2] and may be confused with or accompanied by impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, or other shoulder pathologies
Coronal T2-weighted Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with fat saturation, showing a prominent superior labrum with a inferior free edge covering a portion of the glenoid articular surface, which is described as meniscoid superior labrum
Recent studies conducted in Brazil have emphasized the role of MRI in evaluating the musculoskeletal system, especially the shoulder[16,17,18,19]
Summary
The clinical diagnosis of superior glenoid labrum pathology is difficult[1,2] and may be confused with or accompanied by impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tears, or other shoulder pathologies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the superior labrum is an accepted method for diagnosing labral tears. For maximum accuracy, the radiologist must be aware of a number of normal superior labral variants that can hinder correct interpretation. Albeit well recognized by orthopedic surgeons[1,8,9,10,11,12], a meniscoid superior labrum has received little attention in the radiology literature[3,13,14,15]. A meniscoid superior labrum should be considered when the free edge of the labrum drapes over the underlying glenoid at the 12 o’clock position.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
