Intra-articular variations of the long head of the biceps tendon

The long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) generally runs free through its course in the glenohumeral joint. It can rarely be seen as attached to the joint capsule or the rotator cuff in different patterns. Although these variations are usually considered harmless in the literature, they may occur in conjunction with the labral pathologies. This study was designed to determine their prevalence and investigate their relationship with intra-articular pathologies encountered during arthroscopy.

Out of a patient population of 671 arthroscopies performed in one center, the data regarding the LHBT variations and labral pathologies were collected retrospectively.

Fifty patients (7.4%) of this total population were included as possible LHBT variants. Categorized into seven groups ranging from the simple vinculum, cord, and pulley types to the synovial tunnel types partially or totally fused to the capsule and to more complex types adherent to the capsule or the rotator cuff, their association with the labral pathologies was analyzed. The labral pathology prevalence was significantly higher in this group of 50 patients with LHBT variants compared to the total population (32 vs. 13%; P < 0.001). In the pulley-type variant group, the labral pathologies were also encountered at a significantly higher rate than the total population (62.5%; P = 0.026).

The prevalence of embryological variations of the biceps tendon may be higher than common presumptions, and a particular type of these variants displays an increased association with labral pathologies.