title: Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of meniscoid superior labrum: normal variant or superior labral tear.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of a "meniscoid" superior labrum.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective analysis of 582 magnetic resonance imaging examinations of shoulders. Of those 582 examinations, 110 were excluded, for a variety of reasons, and the final analysis therefore included 472 cases. Consensus readings were performed by three musculoskeletal radiologists using specific criteria to diagnose meniscoid labra.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A meniscoid superior labrum was identified in 48 (10.2%) of the 472 cases evaluated. Arthroscopic proof was available in 21 cases (43.8%). In 10 (47.6%) of those 21 cases, the operative report did not include the mention a superior labral tear, thus suggesting the presence of a meniscoid labrum. In only one of those cases were there specific comments about a mobile superior labrum (i.e., meniscoid labrum). In the remaining 11 (52.4%), surgical correlation demonstrated superior labral tears.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A meniscoid superior labrum is not an infrequent finding. Depending upon assumptions and the requirement of surgical proof, the prevalence of a meniscoid superior labrum in this study was between 2.1% (surgically proven) and 4.8% (projected). However, superior labral tears are just as common and are often confused with meniscoid labra.
authors: MD, PhD, Radiologist at the Central de Diagnóstico Ribeirão Preto (Cedirp), Attending Physician in the Musculoskeletal Division of the Center for Imaging at the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
authors: Marcelo Novelino
authors: MN
authors: Simão
authors: MD, Assistant Professor of Radiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Emily N
authors: EN
authors: Vinson
authors: MD, Chief of the Musculoskeletal Imaging Division, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: Charles E
authors: CE
authors: Spritzer
keywords: Fibrocartilage/labrum; Magnetic resonance imaging; Shoulder joint/physiopathology; Shoulder/injuries