MRI in the evaluation of patients with suspected instability of the shoulder joint including a comparison with CT-arthrography

Thirty-two patients with clinical suspicion of shoulder instability were the subject of this assessment of MRI (1.5 T G.E. Signa) and its comparison with CT-arthrography (GE8800 and GE9800) of the shoulder. Twenty-seven patients had a final diagnosis established by arthroscopy and five by arthrotomy. The imaging examinations were interpreted independently by three radiologists blinded against history, surgical diagnosis and results of the compared test. The statistical analysis included ROC-curves, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy as well as predictive values. The significance of the comparative results was assessed by the McNemar Sign test. MRI showed significantly better diagnostic results in the evaluation of labral structures (sensitivity 85%, specificity 90%, accuracy 88%) and humeral head impression fractures (75, 82, 78%). None of the tests were of sufficient diagnostic value to identify capsular abnormalities. CT and MRI results regarding the biceps tendon and loose bodies were similar, however, statistically not significant. MRI proved to be of high diagnostic value in the assessment of the unstable shoulder and compared favorably with CT-A.