Clinical Evaluation of Shoulder Kinematic MRI Using an Open-type System

Previous studies on kinematic MRI of the shoulder using cylindrical-type MRI systems were limited to internal or external rotation. The open-type MRI system enables kinematic MRI to be carried out for the abductive position, and is expected to permit evaluation of the superior and inferior glenoid labrum. It is important to evaluate the superior and inferior glenoid labrum in cases of sports injuries(baseball, tennis, etc.). We evaluated the superior and inferior glenoid labrum for abductive motion in asymptomatic healthy volunteers as a preliminary study. As the abduction angle increased, the superior labrum moved into the joint space. Its shape changed from round or triangular to crescent(p<0.0001), and there was increased signal for larger abduction angles(p<0.0001). On the other hand, the shape of the inferior labrum tended to change from crescent to triangular or round(p<0.0001). Increased signal was seen in the inferior labrum on about half the shoulders(N.P.). This did not change as the abduction angle increased. Our results define normal patterns for the superior and inferior glenoid labrum on abductive kinematic MRI in healthy volunteers. Abductive kinematic studies using an open-type MRI system, which permits dynamic evaluation of the superior and inferior glenoid labrum, are expected to be useful for various patients with sports injuries.