MRI evaluation of the inferior glenohumeral ligament: Comparison with arthroscopic findings in 81 shoulders

Abstract

Arthroscopic Bankart repair, using staples, requires a thick and wide anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament. We compared MRI and arthroscopic findings of the ligament in 81 shoulders with traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability. When fluid was present in the shoulder, sensitivity and specificity of the MRI evaluation for the presence of a thick and wide ligament were 82% and 100%, respectively. In shoulders without joint fluid, the condition of the ligament was evaluated according to the presence of a low- or moderate-signal triangle structure on the anterior margin of the glenoid cavity in the 3 MR images obtained from the inferior 2 cm of the glenoid. Sensitivity and specificity of the MRI evaluation in cases without fluid were 84% and 93%, respectively. The MR technique needs to be further improved to achieve better sensitivity for preoperative selection of shoulders suitable for Bankart repair with staples.