[CT arthrography in the diagnosis of shoulder instability]

In the course of a prospective study, CT arthrography was carried out on 40 patients with shoulder instability. In 35 of these patients a lesion of the capsule and labrum was demonstrated, indicating glenohumeral instability; in three patients this was shown primarily by CT arthrography. In three patients, multidirectional instability was demonstrated. In four patients there was an isolated lesion of the labrum, whereas in one patient all the findings were normal. Compared with the capsulo-labral lesions, bone changes involving the head of the humerus and the glenoid were of lesser importance, although their severity affected the choice of operative treatment in four patients. Fifteen of the 40 patients have undergone surgery so far and in all cases the findings on CT arthrography could be confirmed.