All-in-one magnetic resonance arthrography of the shoulder in a vertically open magnetic resonance unit.
BACKGROUND
Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography frequently involves joint injection under imaging guidance followed by MR imaging in static positions.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate if MR arthrography of the shoulder joint can be performed in a comprehensive fashion combining the MR-guided injection procedure, static MR imaging, and dynamic motion MR imaging in a single test.


METHODS
Twenty-three shoulder joints were injected with Gd-DTPA2- under MR guidance. Static MR imaging was performed and included a three-point Dixon method to achieve water-selective images. Dynamic motion MR imaging with and without applying pressure to the upper arm was used to evaluate glenohumeral joint instability. In 10 cases, surgical correlation was available.


RESULTS
The all-in-one MR arthrography technique was successful in all patients, and took an average time of 65 min. All but one glenohumeral injection procedure were performed with a single needle pass, and no complications were observed. Out of eight labrum tears seen with static MR imaging, seven were confirmed at surgery. In 10 cases, dynamic motion MR imaging correlated well with the surgeon's intraoperative evaluation for presence and direction of instability.


CONCLUSIONS
MR arthrography of the shoulder joint using a vertically open magnet can be performed as a single comprehensive test, including the injection and the static and dynamic motion MR imaging. Good diagnostic accuracy for intraarticular lesions and glenohumeral instability was found in a small sample.
Vandevenne
J E
JE
Department of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem-Antwerp, Belgium. vdvennej@hotmail.com
Vanhoenacker
F
F
Beaulieu
C F
CF
Bergman
A G
AG
Butts Pauly
K
K
Dillingham
M F
MF
Lang
P K
PK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA