Is MRI useful to assess labral reduction following acute anterior shoulder dislocation? - 17/05/10

Doi : 10.1016/j.otsr.2009.12.004

M. Chetouani ^a, M. Ropars ^a, F. Marin ^b, D. Huten ^a, R. Duvauferrier ^b, H. Thomazeau ^a,^⁎
^a Orthopedic and Traumatological department, University Hospital, 16, boulevard de Bulgarie, 35203 Rennes, France
^b Radiology and Osteo-Articular Imaging department, University Hospital, 16, boulevard de Bulgarie, 35203 Rennes, France

Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 0 2 99 26 71 67; fax: +33 0 2 99 26 67 06.

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Summary

Introduction

Better knowledge of the anatomical lesions following primary anterior dislocation of the shoulder could help to resolve the issue of the recommanded position of immobilization. The aim of this study was to describe such early lesions and to evaluate labral reducibility in both external and internal rotation of the arm.

Patients and methods

Fifteen shoulders were investigated by MRI without intra-articular injection. The 15 patients (14 men and one woman) had a mean age of 28 years (range: 17–42 years). Labral lesions were classified on a system based on Gleyze and Habermeyer’s endoscopic assessment and reducibility was assessed on Itoi’s criteria.

Results

Constant hemarthrosis allowed an arthrogram type effect. The Hill-Sachs lesion was small in five cases, medium in eight cases and large in two. There were seven labral lesions of type I, seven of type II and one of type III. External rotation (mean: 30.6°; range: 15°–65°), reduced the labrum in six cases (40%).

Discussion

The present study failed to confirm the constant reduction of the labrum reported by Itoi, perhaps because external rotation was less than that obtained in his study (m=52°; range: 35°–81°). Reduction was partly due to posterior migration of the hemarthrosis obtained by external rotation.

Conclusion

MRI assessment of labral reducibility after primary anterior shoulder dislocation may be considered for patients at high risk of recurrence, in order to decide the ideal position of immobilization.