The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 64, Issue 2 192-195, Copyright © 1982 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Double-contrast arthrotomography of the shoulder
EM Braunstein and G O'Connor
We have used double-contrast arthrotomography to assess the glenoid labrum,
as plain radiographs and single-contrast arthrograms are unsatisfactory for
this purpose. Establishing the clinical diagnosis of a torn glenoid labrum
may be difficult, as not all patients with such tears have a history of a
previous shoulder dislocation. The glenoid labrum is seen distinctly on
double-contrast arthrotomography, and tears are manifested by truncation or
blunting of the anteroinferior lip. We compared the anatomy of the normal
shoulder as seen in double-contrast arthrotomography with that seen in
patients with surgically proved tears of the glenoid labrum.
Double-contrast arthrotomography is an accurate method of assessing the
integrity of the glenoid labrum, and it has important implications for the
operative management of patients with trauma to the shoulder.