Arthrography of the biceps tendon.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Radiology
• Musculoskeletal imaging

Background:

• Chronic shoulder pain often involves the biceps tendon.
• Arthrographic imaging is crucial for diagnosing shoulder pathologies.
• Understanding factors influencing biceps tendon visualization is important for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze factors affecting arthrographic imaging of the biceps tendon.
• To compare contrast media efficacy in visualizing the biceps tendon sheath.
• To evaluate the impact of rotator cuff integrity on biceps tendon imaging.

Main Methods:

• 174 patients with chronic shoulder pain underwent shoulder arthrography.
• Contrast media used: sodium meglumine metrizoate and metrizamide.
• Correlation between rotator cuff tear status and biceps tendon sheath filling was assessed.

Main Results:

• Biceps tendon sheath failed to fill more often in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears.
• Metrizamide showed better filling of the biceps tendon sheath than sodium meglumine metrizoate in full-thickness tears.
• Injected contrast medium volume did not influence biceps tendon imaging.

Conclusions:

• Rotator cuff integrity significantly impacts biceps tendon arthrographic visualization.
• Metrizamide is a potentially superior contrast agent for biceps tendon sheath imaging in cases of rotator cuff tears.
• Arthrographic technique should consider rotator cuff status for optimal biceps tendon assessment.