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Subacromial space width changes during abduction and rotation -a 3-D MR imaging study

Les modifications de la hauteur de l'espace sub-acromial au cours des mouvements d'abduction et de rotation — Etude en imagerie par résonance magnétique nucléaire tridimensionnelle

Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy volume 21, pages 59–64 (1999)Cite this article

Summary

The objectives of this study were to determine systematic changes of the normal subacromial space width during abduction and rotation, and to analyze the spatial relationship of the supraspinatus muscle with the acromion and clavicle. 12 healthy volunteers were imaged by an open MR scanner in 5 different positions of abduction and in 3 positions of rotation. After three dimensional (3D) reconstruction and 3D Euclidian distance transformation, the minimal spatial distances between the humerus and the acromion and the humerus and clavicle were computed. The minimal acromio-humeral distance decreased significantly from 30° of abduction (mean 7.0 mm±1.6 mm) to 120° (mean 3.9 mm;±1.8 mm; p<0.0001). At 30°, the minimal distance penetrated the supraspinatus, whereas at 120° it was always located lateral to the supraspinatus tendon. At 90° with internal rotation (7.6 mm,±2.3 mm) the minimal acromio-humeral distance was larger than in neutral rotation (5.4 mm,±2.3 mm) or external rotation (4.4 mm,±2.2 mm; p<0.05), but it penetrated the supraspinatus tendon at its most vulnerable part, reaching the acromion at its anterior inferior border. We conclude that the subacromial space width changes during abduction and rotation and that the supraspinatus is in closest contact to the anterior inferior border of the acromion in 90° of abduction with 45° internal rotation. These values obtained in volunteers can be used as a basis for further investigations in patients with the impingement syndrome.

Résumé

Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de déterminer les modifications de la hauteur de l'espace sub-acromial normal pendant l'abduction et la rotation, et d'analyser les rapports dans l'espace du m. supra-épineux avec l'acromion et la clavicule. L'étude a été réalisée sur une IRM ouverte chez 12 volontaires sains dans 5 positions différentes d'abduction et 3 de rotation. Après reconstruction tridimensionnelle (3D) et mesure euclidienne de distance dans l'espace, les distances minimales entre l'humérus et l'acromion d'une part et la clavicule d'autre part ont fait l'objet d'un traitement informatique. La distance acromiohumérale minimale diminuait de façon significative à partir de 30° (moyenne 7.0 mm;+1.6 mm.) jusqu'à 120° (moyenne 3.9 mm;+1.8 mm; p<0.0001) d'abduction. A 30°, le vecteur de la distance minimale traversait le m. supra-épineux alors qu'à 120° et au-delà, il était en situation latérale par rapport à son tendon chez tous les volontaires. A 90°, la distance acromio-humérale minimale était plus grande en rotation interne (7.6 mm,+2.3 mm) qu'en rotation neutre (5.4 mm,+2.3 mm) ou externe (4.4 mm,+2.2 mm; p<0.05), mais son vecteur traversait le tendon des m. supra-épineux dans sa partie la plus vulnérable et atteignait l'acromion à son bord antérieur et inférieur. Ainsi, la hauteur de l'espace subacromial se modifie pendant l'abduction et la rotation et le m. supra-épineux vient au contact étroit du bord antérieur et inférieur de l'acromion à 90° d'abduction avec 45° de rotation interne. Ces chiffres obtenus chez des volontaires sains constituent des valeurs de références pour des travaux ultérieurs chez des patients souffrant d'un conflit sub-acromial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anatomische Anstalt, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Pettenkoferstr. 11, D-80336, München, Germany

    H. Graichen & F. Eckstein

  2. Institut für Radiologische Diagnostik, Klinikum Großhadern, Marchioninistr. 15, D-81377, München, Germany

    H. Bonel & M. Reiser

  3. Institut für Medizinische Informatik und Systemforschung, GSF Forschungszentrum Neuherberg, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany

    T. Stammberger & K-H. Englmeier

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  1. H. Graichen
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  2. H. Bonel
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  4. K-H. Englmeier
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  5. M. Reiser
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Graichen, H., Bonel, H., Stammberger, T. et al. Subacromial space width changes during abduction and rotation -a 3-D MR imaging study. Surg Radiol Anat 21, 59–64 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01635055

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Key words

  • Shoulder
  • Impingement syndrome
  • Subacromial space
  • MR imaging
  • 3D reconstruction