MR imaging of the shoulder: imaging techniques and anatomy

Since the development of dedicated surface coils and the more widespread use of state-of-the-art arthrographic techniques, MR imaging of the shoulder has come to maturity. In this article the imaging techniques of conventional MR imaging and MR arthrography of the shoulder are reviewed. The complex anatomy, the many anatomic variations and diagnostic variants and pitfalls and discrimination of pathologic entities from normal findings are discussed. Familiarity with the normal anatomy is a prerequisite to achieve a high diagnostic accuracy in the detection of a variety of pathologic conditions of the shoulder joint.