Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of meniscoid superior labrum: normal variant or superior labral tear

• Published in: Radiologia brasileira Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 220 - 224
• Main Authors: Simão, Marcelo Novelino, Vinson, Emily N, Spritzer, Charles E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Original; RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING; Shoulder joint/physiopathology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Shoulder/injuries; Fibrocartilage/labrum; Ombro/lesões; Articulação do ombro/fisiopatologia; Fibrocartilagem/labrum; Ressonância magnética
• ISSN: 0100-3984; 1678-7099; 1678-7099; 0100-3984
• DOI: 10.1590/0100-3984.2015.0083

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of a "meniscoid" superior labrum. 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. 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. 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.