Normal Shoulder MRI and MR Arthrography: Anatomy and Technique

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Orthopedic Imaging
• Anatomy

Background:

• Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and MR arthrography are established diagnostic tools for shoulder pathologies.
• Accurate diagnosis requires distinguishing normal anatomical variants from pathological conditions.
• Shoulder stability relies on both static and dynamic structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common anatomical variants of the shoulder.
• To discuss the clinical relevance of these variants.
• To highlight potential diagnostic pitfalls in shoulder imaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of classical and frequent shoulder variants.
• Focus on intra-articular structures: glenohumeral ligaments and labrum.
• Inclusion of bone, cartilage, and rotator cuff variants and pitfalls.

Main Results:

• Detailed examination of anatomical variants in the shoulder joint.
• Identification of structures that may be misdiagnosed as pathological.
• Emphasis on variants with clinical significance for shoulder instability.

Conclusions:

• Knowledge of normal shoulder anatomy and variants is essential for accurate MR interpretation.
• Variants can mimic pathology, necessitating careful evaluation.
• Understanding these nuances improves diagnostic accuracy for shoulder lesions and instability.