Slap variant with an absent long head of biceps.

Abstract

Congenital absence of the long head of biceps is a rare arthroscopic finding. We present a unique case of congenital absence of the long head of biceps tendon in the presence of a Superior labrum anterior posterior (SLAP) variant lesion. Current theories regarding the aetiology of SLAP lesion consider the long head of biceps tendon to either avulse or peel-off the labrum from the glenoid rim. Our finding of SLAP variant lesion in the absence of the long head of biceps tendon suggests that other processes must play a part in the causation of this injury, independent of the long head of biceps.