Double-contrast arthrotomography of the shoulder.
We have used double-contrast arthrotomography to assess the glenoid labrum, as plain radiographs and single-contrast arthrograms are unsatisfactory for this purpose. Establishing the clinical diagnosis of a torn glenoid labrum may be difficult, as not all patients with such tears have a history of a previous shoulder dislocation. The glenoid labrum is seen distinctly on double-contrast arthrotomography, and tears are manifested by truncation or blunting of the anteroinferior lip. We compared the anatomy of the normal shoulder as seen in double-contrast arthrotomography with that seen in patients with surgically proved tears of the glenoid labrum. Double-contrast arthrotomography is an accurate method of assessing the integrity of the glenoid labrum, and it has important implications for the operative management of patients with trauma to the shoulder.
D006801:Humans; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D014056:Tomography, X-Ray