An assessment of SLAP type 5 lesions using proton density oblique sagittal imaging in magnetic resonance arthrography

Bankart lesions accompany superior labrum anteroposterior (SLAP) lesions; these are called SLAP type 5.

To compare SLAP type 5 lesions using routine magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) and thin-slice oblique sagittal proton density (PDW) sequences and correlation operation results.

In total, 181 patients were admitted with shoulder instability. The study was completed with 44 patients. The presence or absence of isolated Bankart and SLAP type 5 lesions in routine MRA and PDW oblique sagittal images were evaluated separately. Absence of rupture scored 0 points, suspected ruptures scored 1 point, and apparent ruptures scored 2 points. The two scores were compared with the shoulder arthroscopy findings.

According to the findings in the shoulder arthroscopy, 40 patients had Bankart lesions and 17 patients had accompanying SLAP type 5 lesions. To detect a Bankart lesion, there was no significant difference between routine MRA sequences and PDW oblique sagittal images (P = 0.061). Routine MRA sensitivity was 95%, specificity 25%, positive predictive value (PPV) 92%, negative predictive value (NPV) 33%, while for PDW oblique sagittal images, sensitivity was 75%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, and NPV 28.5%. In 8/17 type 5 SLAP lesions, routine MRA detected sensitivity 47%, specificity 92.6%, PPV 80%, and NPV 73.5%; in 14/17 SLAP type 5 lesions, PDW oblique sagittal images detected sensitivity 82%, specificity 100%, PPV 100%, and NPV 90% (P = 0.015).

The PDW oblique sagittal images may play a significant role in assessing the anterior and superior extent of the tears.