MR (Magnetic Resonance) arthrography of the shoulder: normal anatomy

MR (Magnetic Resonance) arthrography of the shoulder: normal anatomy

MR (Magnetic Resonance) arthrography of the shoulder: normal anatomy

This anatomical module of e-Anatomy is dedicated to the anatomy of the shoulder joint and the rotator cuff on a MR arthrography.

This MR arthrogram of the shoulder was performed on a male patient on a GE Signa Pioneer 3T MRI by Dr. Corey Chakarun from Shin Imaging in California. The exam is not normal because of a chronic injury of the anteroinferior glenoid labroligamentous complex.

An injection of 12ml gadolinium solution (1:200 dilution) into the shoulder joint has been done under fluoroscopic guidance, with an anterior approach (patient in a supine position with the shoulder in slightly external rotation).

Then the MR was performed with the shoulder placed in a neutral position (except for the ABER), with 5 different sequences commonly used for MR arthrography of the shoulder joint:

  • Axial T1-weighted fat saturation
MR Arthrography of the shoulder in Axial T1 FS: Normal anatomy of the glenohumeral joint and of the rotator cuff. This MRI shows the labrum, the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles, the glenohumeral ligaments, the articular capsule and the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa
Axial T1 FS image shows the normal anatomy of the glenohumeral joint and the rotator cuff on a MR (Magnetic Resonance) arthrography of the shoulder. On this MRI the labrum, the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles, the glenohumeral ligaments, the articular capsule and the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa can be distinguished.
  • Oblique coronal T1-weighted fat saturation
Shoulder MR arthrogram on coronal F1 FS showing the anatomy of the normal glenohumeral joint and of the rotator cuff
This oblique coronal T1-weighted fat saturation image shows the anatomy of the normal glenohumeral joint and of the rotator cuff
  • Oblique coronal PD-weighted fat saturation
Shoulder MR Arthogram in coronal PD FS showing the rotator cuff, the musculotendinous cuff, the supraspinatus tendon, the infraspinatus muscle, the subacromial bursa and the subdeltoid bursa
This oblique coronal PD-weighted fat saturation image shows the rotator cuff, the musculotendinous cuff, the supraspinatus tendon, the infraspinatus muscle, the subacromial bursa and the subdeltoid bursa
  • Oblique sagittal T1-weighted FSE
Shoulder MR arthrogram on sagittal T1 showing the articular surface of glenoid, the glenoid labrum, the bicipital-labrum complex and the glenohumeral ligaments
This oblique sagittal T1-weighted FSE image shows the articular surface of glenoid, the glenoid labrum, the bicipital-labrum complex and the lenohumeral ligaments
  • T1-weighted fat saturation in abduction and external rotation (ABER)
Shoulder MR arthrogram in the ABER position-T1 FS: the glenohumeral joint, the shoulder joint, the supraspinatus tendon, the glenoid labrum can be distinguished
This T1-weighted fat saturation was performed in abduction and external rotation (the ABER position). It shows the glenohumeral joint, the shoulder joint, the supraspinatus tendon and the glenoid labrum
MR Arthrography of the shoulder in Axial T1 FS: Normal anatomy of the glenohumeral joint and of the rotator cuff. This MRI shows the labrum, the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles, the glenohumeral ligaments, the articular capsule and the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa
Axial T1 FS image shows the normal anatomy of the glenohumeral joint and the rotator cuff on a MR (Magnetic Resonance) arthrography of the shoulder. On this MRI the labrum, the tendons of the rotator cuff muscles, the glenohumeral ligaments, the articular capsule and the subacromial
Shoulder MR arthrogram on coronal F1 FS showing the anatomy of the normal glenohumeral joint and of the rotator cuff
This oblique coronal T1
Shoulder MR Arthogram in coronal PD FS showing the rotator cuff, the musculotendinous cuff, the supraspinatus tendon, the infraspinatus muscle, the subacromial bursa and the subdeltoid bursa
This oblique coronal PD
Shoulder MR arthrogram on sagittal T1 showing the articular surface of glenoid, the glenoid labrum, the bicipital-labrum complex and the glenohumeral ligaments
This oblique sagittal T1
Shoulder MR arthrogram in the ABER position-T1 FS: the glenohumeral joint, the shoulder joint, the supraspinatus tendon, the glenoid labrum can be distinguished
This T1
  • Normal Shoulder MRI and MR Arthrography: Anatomy and Technique. Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology.Llopis, Eva & Montesinos, Pau & Guedez, M & Aguilella, Luis & Cerezal, Luis. (2015). 19. 212-30. 10.1055/s-0035-1549316
  • The anterior glenohumeral joint capsule: macroscopic and MRI anatomy of the fasciculus obliquus or so-called ligamentum glenohumerale spirale - Griffin N, Charles-Edwards G, Grant LA. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography: the ABC of MRCP. Insights Imaging. 2012;3(1):11–21. doi:10.1007/s13244-011-0129-9
  • Transverse Thickening Along the Articular Surface of the Rotator Cuff Consistent With the Rotator Cable: Identification With MR Arthrography and Relevance in Rotator Cuff Evaluation. Kenneth Sheah, Miriam A. Bredella, Jon J. P. Warner, Elkan F. Halpern, and William E. Palmer American Journal of Roentgenology 2009 193:3, 679-686
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anatomical parts