Magnetic resonance imaging analysis of coracoid morphology and its relation to rotator cuff tears

The purpose of this study was to define the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) anatomy of the subcoracoid space and to determine its relation to rotator cuff tears. Routine clinical MRI sequences of 100 shoulders were reviewed, and standardized measurements of the subcoracoid space were taken and compared with previously published computed tomographic (CT) data. MRI and CT values were very similar. There were no significant differences between the coracoid morphology of patients with normal findings and patients with varying degrees of rotator cuff disease involving the supraspinatus tendon. The excellent agreement between MRI and CT measurements indicates that different investigators may use either imaging modality to obtain reproducible results. The role of coracoid anatomy in the development of lesions of the subscapularis tendon and the long head of the biceps remains to be defined.