Clin Should Elbow.  2018 Dec;21(4):186-191. 10.5397/cise.2018.21.4.186.

Normal Range of Humeral Head Positioning on the Glenoid on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Validation through Comparison of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

• Kim JH
• Min YK

• KMID: 2436407
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2018.21.4.186

Abstract

BACKGROUND
To determine the normal range of humeral head positioning on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS
We selected normal subjects (64 patients; group A) to study the normal range of humeral head positioning on the glenoid by MRI measurements. To compare the MRI measurement method with the computed tomography (CT), we selected group B (70 patients) who underwent both MRI and CT. We measured the humeral-scapular alignment (HSA) and the humeral-glenoid alignment (HGA).
RESULTS
The HSA in the control group was 1.47 ± 1.05 mm, and the HGA with and without reconstruction were 1.15 ± 0.65 mm and 1.03 ± 0.59 mm, respectively, on MRI. In the test group, HSA was 2.67 ± 1.47 mm and HGA with and without reconstruction was 1.58 ± 1.16 mm and 1.49 ± 1.08 mm, on MRI. On CT, the HSA was 1.72 ± 1.01 mm, and HGA with and without reconstruction were 1.54 ± 0.96 mm and 1.59 ± 0.93 mm, respectively. HSA was significantly different according to image modality (p=0.0006), but HGA was not significantly different regardless of reconstruction (p=0.8836 and 0.9234).
CONCLUSIONS
Although additional CT scans can be taken to measure decentering in patients with rotator cuff tears, reliable measurements can be obtained with MRI alone. When using MRI, it is better to use HGA, which is a more reliable measurement value based on the comparison with CT measurement (study design: Study of Diagnostic Test; Level of evidence II).

Keyword

Humeral head position; Rotator cuff tears; Decentering; Humeral-scapular alignment; Humeral-glenoid alignment

MeSH Terms

Diagnostic Tests, Routine
Humans
Humeral Head*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Methods
Reference Values*
Rotator Cuff
Tears
Tomography, X-Ray Computed