Anatomical Variants and Pitfalls in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Shoulder that can Simulate Pathology

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe investigation of shoulder pain usually includes diagnostic imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most widely used imaging tools. Although MRI has good diagnostic accuracy, pitfalls, anatomical variations, or artifacts in MRI can lead to a false diagnosis or raise concern over findings that do not have clinical significance. This knowledge is important to all radiologists but especially so for the less experienced since it can improve reports, avoiding mistakes that could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment.Recent FindingsThe authors demonstrate with didactic cases and images the most common findings that can simulate injuries. This pictorial essay includes cases of pitfalls, anatomical variations, or artifacts in MRI that simulate pathology of bone and cartilage, glenoid labrum, muscles, tendons (especially the rotator cuff and long head of the biceps brachii), and ligaments.SummaryPitfalls, anatomical variations, or artifacts in MRI can lead to a false diagnosis or raise concern over findings that do not have clinical significance. This knowledge is important to all radiologists but especially so for the less experienced since it can improve reports, avoiding mistakes that could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Source: Current Radiology Reports - July 5, 2017 Category: Radiology Source Type: research