Abstract
PurposeTo evaluate graft properties on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) to help improve our understanding of postoperative imaging.MethodsWe identified consecutive patients who underwent SCR by a single surgeon and who had postoperative MRIs available. MRIs were analyzed to look for common postoperative findings on imaging.ResultsTen consecutive patients with an average age of 58 years who underwent SCR by a single surgeon had postoperative MRIs on average 404 days from surgery. Eight patients had completely intact grafts on follow-up MRI. All intact grafts were similar with homogenous appearance on all coronal images. All patients displayed some trace fluid with mild heterogenous signal at the level of the glenoid, which could represent failure of the graft to completely incorporate at the level of the glenoid or could be normal in the postoperative setting since all eight intact grafts displayed this finding. None of the patients with intact grafts had bony edema noted on either the glenoid or humeral side. Four of 8 patients were noted to have trace bony edema at the level of the lateral acromion. One patient had complete disruption on the glenoid side. One patient had partially intact graft that revealed heterogenous appearance of graft.ConclusionsAn intact graft displays a more homogenous signal on consecutive postoperative MRI coronal images than disrupted grafts or partially intact grafts. This suggests that intact grafts have better clinical outcomes than a partially disrupted or completely disrupted graft. However, the finding of heterogenous signal/fluid at the glenoid graft interface in all intact grafts could not be explained in this study.Level of EvidenceLevel IV, therapeutic case series.
Highlights
To evaluate graft properties on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) to help improve our understanding of postoperative imaging
Even though there has been an explosion in literature about SCR, little is known about findings on the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
We felt that any additional information gained from reviewing postoperative MRIs on consecutive patients, regardless of how they were doing clinically, could strengthen our understanding of postoperative imaging after SCR
Summary
To evaluate graft properties on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) to help improve our understanding of postoperative imaging. Conclusions: An intact graft displays a more homogenous signal on consecutive postoperative MRI coronal images than disrupted grafts or partially intact grafts. In the primary papers on dermal allograft for SCR, only 34 MRI scans were obtained postoperatively.[4,5,6] Of these 34 MRI scans, very little is mentioned except graft intact, partially intact, or completely disrupted. This can make reviewing postoperative MRIs challenging for the performing surgeon. We felt that any additional information gained from reviewing postoperative MRIs on consecutive patients, regardless of how they were doing clinically, could strengthen our understanding of postoperative imaging after SCR
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
