Ryuji Sashi MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Eiji Itoi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Junichi Izumi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yoshinori Hirano MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jiro Watarai MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

It is important to estimate the inferior glenohumeral ligament (IGHL) for the diagnosis of a Bankart lesion on MR-arthrography (MRA). However, it is difficult to understand the three dimensional structure of the IGHL on any axial, coronal, or sagittal planes. The purpose of this study was to visualize the IGHL three-dimensionally (3D) by 3D Fourier transformation (FT) coronal acquisition and prove its usefulness.

Materials were 78 shoulders (56 males, 22 females; 44 instabilities, 20 throwing disturbances, and 14 others). We sandwiched the shoulder between the anterior 3-inch and posterior 5-inch dual phased array coils with a holder dedicated for the shoulder. The images were obtained on a 1.5-Tesla MR imager (Signa Horizon; GE medical System, Milwaukee, WI). We obtained coronal 1-mm thickness and 60 contiguous images by 3DFT method (T1 weighted first SPGR: TR 31 msec, TE 8.2 msec, 20 flip angle, 512x192 matrix, 2 NEX) of 10 shoulder MRA in addition to our routine MRA technique, 2-mm thickness 3D axial images, 3-mm thickness and 1-mm gap oblique sagittal and coronal images. In the following 68 MRA, we quitted oblique coronal and sagittal scanning. On the workstation, we obtained oblique coronal, sagittal, and axial reformation images by 3DFT coronal sources and compared them by conventional images in initial 10 cases. We visualize the IGHL three-dimensionally by volume rendering method in all the cases.

In all the initial 10 cases, reformation oblique coronal and sagittalnimages were better than conventional images. Reformation axial images were equal to or slightly poor than the conventional axial images. Posterior and anterior volume rendering 3D images visualized the attachment of the IGHL to the glenoid and humeral neck respectively in all the cases.

With three-dimensional FT coronal acquisition of the MRA, we can visualize the IGHL three dimensionally without conventional oblique coronal and sagittal scannings.

Sashi, R, Itoi, E, Izumi, J, Hirano, Y, Watarai, J, Visualization of the Inferior Glenohumeral Ligament of the Shoulder by Three-dimensional Fourier Transformation MR Arthrography.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4407501.html