Shoulder MR imaging normal variants and imaging artifacts.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Imaging
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Shoulder imaging interpretation requires differentiating normal variants from pathology.
• Anatomical variations can mimic disease, leading to misdiagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe common osseous, labral, cartilage, ligament, muscle, and tendon variants in the shoulder.
• To highlight imaging pitfalls associated with these variants.
• To provide guidance on distinguishing variants from pathologic shoulder lesions.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings of common shoulder variants.
• Comparative analysis of variant appearances versus pathologic conditions.
• Discussion of key differentiating features on imaging.

Main Results:

• Detailed descriptions of osseous, labral, hyaline cartilage, ligament, muscle, and tendon variants are presented.
• Specific imaging characteristics that distinguish variants from pathologies are identified.
• Common pitfalls in interpreting these findings are outlined.

Conclusions:

• Accurate identification of shoulder variants is crucial for correct diagnosis.
• Understanding these variants improves diagnostic accuracy and avoids unnecessary interventions.
• This review serves as a guide for radiologists and clinicians interpreting shoulder imaging.