Abstract
Tears of the superior portion of the glenoid labrum in patients without shoulder instability have recently been described. These tears, which include the “anchor” of the biceps tendon to the labrum, have been labeled “SLAP lesions” (superior /abrum anterior to posterior). This study was performed to determine the magnetic resonance (MR) findings in patients with SLAP lesions. Retrospective review of the shoulder arthroscopy reports on patients who underwent MR imaging using a 1.5-T unit and subsequent arthroscopy by a single surgeon identified six patients with SLAP lesions (average age 36 years, range 17–65 years). MR images demonstrated atypical morphology indicative of tear in the superior portion of the labrum in four of the six patients, but only one tear had been identified preoperatively. Radiologists interpreting MR images of the shoulder should be aware of the MR findings of SLAP lesions as these tears can be a significant cause of patient disability and are difficult to diagnose clinically.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrews JR, Carson WG, McLeod WD (1985) Glenoid labrum tears related to the long head of the biceps. Am J Sports Med 13:337
Cartland JP, Crues JV, Stauffer A, Nottage W, Ryu RKN (1992) MR imaging in the evaluation of SLAP injuries of the shoulder: findings in 10 patients. AJR 159:787
Deutsch AL, et al (1984) Computed and conventional arthrotomography of the glenohumeral joint: normal anatomy and clinical experience. Radiology 153:603
Hunter JC, Blatz DJ, Escobedo EM (1992) SLAP lesions of the glenoid labrum: CT arthrographic and arthroscopic correlation. Radiology 184:513
Iannotti JP, Zlatkin MB, Esterhai JL, Kressel HV, Dalinka MK, Spindler KP (1991) Magnetic resonance of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 73:17
Legan JM et al. (1991) Tears of the glenoid labrum: MR imaging of 88 arthroscopically confirmed cases. Radiology 179:241
McCauley TR, Pope CF, Jokl P (1992) Normal and abnormal glenoid labrum: assessment with multiplanar gradient-echo MR imaging. Radiology 183:35
Snyder SJ, Karzel RP, Del Pizzo W, Ferkel RD, Friedman MJ (1990) SLAP lesions of the shoulder. Arthroscopy 6:274
Wilson WJ, Totty WG, Murphy WA, Hardy DC (1989) Shoulder joint: arthrotomographic CT and long-term follow-up, with surgical correlation. Radiology 173:329
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, A.M., McCauley, T.R. & Jokl, P. SLAP lesions of the glenoid labrum diagnosed with MR imaging. Skeletal Radiol. 22, 507–510 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209097
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00209097