Can the West Point-view Radiograph Accurately Detect Glenoidal Bone Defects in Patients With Anterior Shoulder Instability?

The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of West Point-view radiographs in detecting glenoidal bone defects in patients with anterior shoulder instability. In patients with anterior shoulder instability, diagnostic imaging plays a key role. The aim of the radiological examination is the detection of bone defects, including bony Bankart lesions. Routinely, West Point-view radiographs are used to assess glenoidal bone defects, but little is known about their diagnostic validity. 54 consecutive patients with a history of anterior shoulder instability receiving shoulder arthroscopy were included in the present study. Preoperative West Point-view radiographs and CT scans of all patients were retrospectively analyzed. To assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, likelihood ratio, and area under the curve (AUC), the diagnostic accuracy of the West Point-view radiograph were compared with the diagnostic accuracy of the CT scans. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and likelihood ratio of West Point-radiographs were: 0.71, 0.92, 0.91, 0.74, 28.7 (5.4-151.4). The West Point-view radiograph showed a good AUC (0.817) and a significant correlation with the findings of the CT scans (p < 0.001). The results of the present study show that West Point-view radiographs were able to accurately detect glenoidal bone defects in the majority of patients with anterior shoulder instability.