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Anatomical Variants and Pitfalls in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Shoulder that can Simulate Pathology

  • Musculoskeletal Imaging (J Guimaraes, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The investigation of shoulder pain usually includes diagnostic imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most widely used imaging tools. Although MRI has good diagnostic accuracy, pitfalls, anatomical variations, or artifacts in MRI can lead to a false diagnosis or raise concern over findings that do not have clinical significance. This knowledge is important to all radiologists but especially so for the less experienced since it can improve reports, avoiding mistakes that could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Recent Findings

The authors demonstrate with didactic cases and images the most common findings that can simulate injuries. This pictorial essay includes cases of pitfalls, anatomical variations, or artifacts in MRI that simulate pathology of bone and cartilage, glenoid labrum, muscles, tendons (especially the rotator cuff and long head of the biceps brachii), and ligaments.

Summary

Pitfalls, anatomical variations, or artifacts in MRI can lead to a false diagnosis or raise concern over findings that do not have clinical significance. This knowledge is important to all radiologists but especially so for the less experienced since it can improve reports, avoiding mistakes that could lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNIFESP-EPM and DASA, Av. Dr. Altino Arantes 701. Ap 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    André Yui Aihara & Fabiano Nassar Cardoso

  2. DASA, Rua Dr. Diogo de Faria, 1379, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Paola Cecy Kuenzer Goes

  3. UNIFESP-EPM, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Artur da Rocha Correa Fernandes

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  1. André Yui Aihara
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Correspondence to André Yui Aihara.

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André Yui Aihara, Paola Cecy Kuenzer Goes, Fabiano Nassar Cardoso, and Artur da Rocha Correa Fernandes each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Musculoskeletal Imaging.

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Aihara, A.Y., Goes, P.C.K., Cardoso, F.N. et al. Anatomical Variants and Pitfalls in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Shoulder that can Simulate Pathology. Curr Radiol Rep 5, 41 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40134-017-0235-7

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