Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Posterior dislocation of the long head of biceps tendon: case report and review of the literature

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Posterior or lateral dislocation of the long head of biceps is a rare complication of shoulder dislocation that can result in inability to relocate the humerus. The diagnosis should be suspected when certain radiographic features are present at the initial presentation. Other imaging modalities can aid diagnosis when clinical management is unsuccessful or protracted. We present a case of surgically proven posterior dislocation of the biceps tendon with conventional radiographic, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging assessment. The literature on this subject is reviewed, and imaging features associated with the diagnosis are described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rockwood CA, Wirth MA. Subluxations and dislocations about the glenohumeral joint. In: Fractures in Adults, vol. 2. Rockwood CA, Green DP, Bucholz RW, Heckman JD, eds. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincot-Raven; 1996: 1238–1247.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berbig R, Weishaupt D, Prim J, Shahin O. Primary anterior shoulder dislocation and rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1999; 8: 220–225.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Bahrs C, Lingenfelter E, Fischer F, Walters EM, Schnabel M. Mechanism of injury and morphology of the greater tuberosity fracture. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2006; 15: 140–147.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. te Slaa RL, Verburg H, Marti RK. Fracture of the coracoid process, the greater tuberosity and the glenoid rim after acute first time anterior dislocation of the shoulder: a case report. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2001; 10: 489–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cervilla V, Schweitzer ME, Ho C, Motta A, Kerr R, Resnick D. Medial dislocation of the biceps brachii tendon: appearance at MR imaging. Radiology 1991; 180: 523–526.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Bauer T, Vuillemin A, Hardy Ph, Rousselin B. Posterior dislocation of the long head of the biceps tendon: a case report. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2005; 14: 557–558.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. McLaughlin HL. Dislocation of the shoulder with tuberosity fracture. Surg Clin North Am 1963; 43: 1615–1620.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rakovsky M, Arias C, Wagner JJ. Case report 633. Skeletal Radiol 1990; 19: 532–534.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Seradge H, Orme G. Acute irreducible anterior dislocation of the shoulder. J Trauma 1982; 22: 330–332.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Henderson RS. Fracture dislocation of the shoulder with interposition of the long head of biceps. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1952; 34-B 2: 240–241.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Janecki CJ, Barnett DC. Fracture dislocation of the shoulder with biceps tendon interposition. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1979; 61-A 1: 142–143.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Goldman AB. Calcific tendinitis of the long head of the biceps brachii distal to the glenohumeral joint: plain film radiographic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1989; 153: 1011–1016.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ptasznik R, Hennessy O. Abnormalities of the biceps tendon of the shoulder: sonographic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1995; 164: 409–414.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Deutsch AL, Resnick D, Mink JH, et al. Computed and conventional arthrotomography of the glenohumeral joint: normal anatomy and clinical experience. Radiology 1984; 153: 603–609.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Erickson SJ, Fitzgerald SW, Quinn SF, Carrera GF, Black KP, Lawson TL. Long bicipital tendon of the shoulder: normal anatomy and pathologic findings on MR imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1992; 158: 1091–1096.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Flannigan B, Hursunoglu-Brahme S, Snyder S, Karzel R, Del Pizzo W, Resnick D. MR arthography of the shoulder: comparison with conventional MR imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1990; 155: 829–832.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Morag Y, Jacobson JA, Shields G, et al. MR arthography of the rotator interval, long head of the biceps brachii, and the biceps pulley of the shoulder. Radiology 2005; 235: 21–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Palmer WE, Caslowitz PL, Chew FS. MR arthography of the shoulder: normal intraarticular structures and common abnormalities. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1995; 164: 141–146.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Zanetti M, Weishaupt D, Gerber C, Hodler J. Tendonopathy and rupture of the tendon of the long head of biceps brachii muscle: evaluation with MR arthography. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1998; 170: 1557–1561.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Chan TW, Dalinka MK, Kneeland JB, Chevrot A. Biceps tendon dislocation: evaluation with MR imaging. Radiology 1991; 179: 649–652.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Freeland AE, Higgins RW. Anterior shoulder dislocation with posterior displacement of the long head of the biceps tendon. Arthrographic findings. A case report. Orthopedics 1985; 8: 468–469.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Inao S, Hirayama T, Takemitsu Y. Irreducible acute anterior dislocation of the shoulder: interposed bicipital tendon. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1990; 72-B: 1079–1080.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Strobel K, Treuman T, Allgayer B. Posterior entrapment of the long biceps tendon after traumatic shoulder dislocation: findings on MR imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2002; 178: 238–239.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Imaging, Mt. Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada

    P. J. Mullaney, R. Bleakney & L. White

  2. Department of Medical Imaging, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    P. Tuchscherer

  3. Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    E. Boynton

Authors
  1. P. J. Mullaney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Bleakney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Tuchscherer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. E. Boynton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L. White
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. J. Mullaney.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mullaney, P.J., Bleakney, R., Tuchscherer, P. et al. Posterior dislocation of the long head of biceps tendon: case report and review of the literature. Skeletal Radiol 36, 779–783 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0285-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0285-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation