Jong Won Kwon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kyoung Doo Song MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Young Cheol Yoon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sang-Hee Choi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate indirect magnetic resonance (MR) arthrograpic findings of adhesive capsulitis.

80 patients who had undergone indirect MR arthrography were enrolled in the study. Indirect MR arthrograms of 35 patients (21 women, 14 men; mean 50.1 years) who were diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis clinically were compared with arthrograms of 45 patients (23 women, 22 men; mean 48.9 years) without adhesive capsulitis. MRIs were reviewed by two radiologists. The thickness of the joint capsule in the axillary recess was measured on T2 weighted coronal images. The thickness of enhancing portion of axillary recess and rotator cuff interval were evaluated on fat-saturated enhanced T1 weighted coronal and sagittal images respectively by two radiologists independently. Reliability was studied by use of the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Enhancement of rotator cuff muscles, presence or absence of glenohumoral joint effusion, and enhancement and effusion in subacromial bursa were analyzed in consensus by two radiologists.

Patients with AC had a significantly thickened joint capsule in the axillary recess (5.9±1.7 mm vs 4.2±1.7 mm in controls) and a significantly thickened enhancing portion of joint capsule in the axillary recess and rotator cuff interval (2.1±3.0mm vs 6.5±2.5mm and 3.0±3.6mm vs 8.3±3.4mm; p < .001 for both comparisons). Interobserver reliability was good for the joint capsule in the axillary recess on T2 weighted images (ICC value= 0.80), and for the enhancing portion of the axillary recess and rotator cuff interval on fat-saturated T1 weighted images (ICC value= 0.88 and 0.90). Enhancement of subscapularis muscle was observed more frequently in patients with AC (12/35) than in patients without AC (4/45) (p=0.018). Bursitis and glenohumoral joint effusion did not show significant difference between two groups.

The thickening and enhancement of the joint capsule and synovial membrane are characteristic findings of AC on indirect MR arthrogram. Indirect MR arthrography is useful tool for the diagnosis of AC with good reliability.

Indirect MR arthrography is useful diagnostic tool for the adhesive capsulitis.

Kwon, J, Song, K, Yoon, Y, Choi, S, Indirect Magnetic Resonance (MR) Arthographic Findings of Adhesive Capsulitis (AC).  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9006299.html