Recurrent shoulder dislocation after surgical repair: double-contrast CT arthrography. Work in progress

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Recurrent shoulder instability following surgical repair presents a significant clinical challenge.
• Identifying the precise cause of failure is crucial for successful revision surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of double-contrast computed tomography (CT) arthrography in diagnosing recurrent postoperative shoulder instability.
• To correlate CT findings with surgical outcomes in patients with failed shoulder stabilization procedures.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of nine patients with recurrent shoulder instability after prior surgery.
• Double-contrast CT arthrography was performed to assess soft-tissue and bony abnormalities.
• Correlation between preoperative CT findings and intraoperative surgical findings in seven cases.

Main Results:

• CT arthrography demonstrated excellent correlation with surgical findings in seven of nine cases.
• The imaging modality effectively identified the direction of instability, especially posterior and multidirectional types.
• Commonly identified causes included capsular laxity, subscapularis abnormalities, and recurrent or previously missed Bankart lesions.

Conclusions:

• Double-contrast CT arthrography is a valuable tool for diagnosing recurrent shoulder instability after failed surgery.
• Precise identification of soft-tissue and bone abnormalities improves preoperative planning and clinical evaluation.
• This imaging technique aids in determining the appropriate surgical approach for revision procedures.