Labral injuries: accuracy of detection with unenhanced MR imaging of the shoulder.

Abstract

To prospectively assess the accuracy of unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the detection and localization of labral injuries. One hundred three patients with clinically suspected shoulder injuries were prospectively examined with unenhanced MR imaging. A combination of gradient-echo and high-resolution fast-spin-echo axial pulse sequences were used. Surgical correlation was obtained in all patients. At surgery, 37 torn anterior, 36 torn superior, and 19 torn posterior labral were identified. The sensitivity for detection of these tears with MR imaging was 100%, 86%, and 74%, respectively; the specificity was 95%, 100%, and 95%, respectively. Overall, unenhanced MR imaging was 95% accurate in the detection of labral injuries. With appropriate pulse sequences, unenhanced MR imaging of the shoulder is an accurate technique for the detection and localization of labral injuries.