MR arthrography versus CT arthrography in assessment of the shoulder joint instability

Abstract

Shoulder pain can cause significant discomfort and reduce the ability to perform activities of daily living, thus making it the third most common cause of musculoskeletal consultation. The combination of a large range of motion and insufficient bony stabilization makes the glenohumeral joint susceptible to injuries. The glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body.

The shoulder instability is defined as a symptomatic abnormal motion of the humeral head relative to the glenoid during active shoulder motion. Glenohumeral instabilities are classified according to the causative factors as the pathogenesis of instability plays an important role with respect to treatment options. Instabilities are classified into traumatic and atraumatic instabilities as part of a multidirectional instability syndrome and into microtraumatic instabilities.

Multiple different structural lesions have been associated with glenohumeral instability, ranging from the Bankart lesion to rotator cuff damage. The current gold standard diagnostic investigation for such lesions is arthroscopy; however this is an invasive procedure. MR Arthrography (MRA) & CT arthrography (CTA) can be routinely used as a diagnostic investigation for instability.

Key words: CTA – MRA – Shoulder instability.