title: Accuracy of preoperative MRI in the diagnosis of disorders of the long head of the biceps tendon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of disorders of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT). The secondary objective was to investigate predictive factors for tears and instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective case series involved patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy due to rotator cuff injury. MRI was performed in a 1.5T scanner and was evaluated by a musculoskeletal radiologist. The findings were compared with those of arthroscopic inspection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 90 shoulders were analyzed. Regarding tears, there was 67% sensitivity and 98% specificity. Regarding instabilities, the values were 53% and 72%, respectively. Tears and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus are predictive factors for tears of the LHBT. Tears of the subscapularis and infraspinatus, retraction of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus equal to or greater than 30mm, and fatty degeneration of the infraspinatus and subscapularis are predictive factors for instability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to arthroscopy, the shoulder MRI has a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 98% for the detection of complete tears of the LHBT. For instability, the values are 53% and 72%, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Malavolta
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo/SP, Brazil. Electronic address: drjorgeassuncao@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jorge H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Assunção
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cesar L B
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Guglielmetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro E C
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gracitelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo/SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Arnaldo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ferreira Neto
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Arthroscopy; Long head of the biceps tendon; Magnetic resonance imaging; Rotator cuff