Perissa Abbasoglu MD, PRESENTER: Nothing to Disclose

Abstract: HTML Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of different MR imaging planes alone and in combination in the diagnosis of biceps tendon abnormalities. Methods and Materials: Eighty-two patients (age range 33-83 years) underwent arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder over a 2-year period with a preceding MR imaging examination at the same institution. MR images of 24 patients with biceps tendon abnormalities identified at arthroscopy were selected for the study. The control group was composed of the remaining patients with normal biceps tendon at surgery. Images of these patients were independently reviewed for identification of biceps tendon abnormalities by two musculoskeletal radiologists, blinded to arthroscopic findings. MR imaging evaluation was first performed in single planes (axial, sagittal, and coronal) followed by combination of imaging planes. Interobserver agreement was calculated using Pearson's correlation. Results: At arthroscopy, 11 patients had biceps tendon abnormalities at the insertion site and 19 at the interval. Regarding imaging planes, the axial plane provided the best specificity (88%) and accuracy (76%), and the coronal, the best sensitivity (60%) for the evaluation of biceps tendon abnormalities at the insertion site. For the interval, the best sensitivity (91%) and specificity (88%) was achieved by the sagittal and coronal planes, respectively, and a similar high accuracy (85%) was obtained with the sagittal and coronal planes alone. In the combined planes, the best sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy at the insertion site was obtained with the axial combined with the coronal plane (56%, 86%, and 79%, respectively); and at the interval, with the sagittal combined with the coronal plane(85%, 78%, and 81%, respectively). Good interobserver agreement was obtained for the detection of biceps abnormalities at the interval in coronal plane (0,70) and at the insertion site in axial plane (0.74). No statistical significant difference was observed in the accuracy, for the diagnosis of pathologies of insertion site and interval of biceps tendon in different planes (p>0.05). Conclusion: The coronal oblique is the best plane for the evaluation of the insertion site of the biceps tendon providing the highest sensitivity when alone and the similar high accuracy when combined to the axial plane. In the evaluation of interval portion of the biceps, the best results regarding sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy are obtained with the sagittal oblique plane.       Questions about this event email: perissaabbasoglu@yahoo.com

Abbasoglu MD, P, Value of Different MR Imaging Planes Alone and in Combination in the Diagnosis of Biceps Tendon Abnormalities.  Radiological Society of North America 2003 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 30 - December 5, 2003 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2003/3107834.html