Deltoid contracture: MR imaging features.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of deltoid contracture and compare these findings with the operative and histological findings and to determine the utility of MRI for diagnosis and treatment planning.


METHODS
Retrospective review of clinical and imaging in six patients with deltoid contracture, as well as the operative and histological findings of four operated patients.


RESULTS
Magnetic resonance imaging clearly demonstrated the intramuscular fibrous bands of the deltoid as a homogeneously hypointense area with distinctive margins on T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted images. Operative findings were exactly consistent with the findings observed by MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
Deltoid contracture is best evaluated with MRI which facilitates visualization of the intramuscular fibrous bands being pathognomonic of this entity and may provide information useful in treatment planning.
Ogawa
K
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan.
Takahashi
M
M
Naniwa
T
T
D000328:Adult; D003286:Contracture / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000009:adverse effects; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder