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Thickness distribution of the glenohumeral joint cartilage: a quantitative study using computed tomography

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Abstract

Purpose

Among late signs like sclerosis, cysts and osteophytes, alteration of cartilage is a common problem in osteoarthritis. To detect abnormal states in the glenohumeral joint, the physiologic distribution of the cartilage thickness must be known, which will allow physicians to better advise patients. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) data in soft tissue kernel provide highly accurate quantitative results and are a useful method to determine the geometrical situation of the glenohumeral joint. The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution of the thickness of the glenohumeral joint cartilage using CT.

Methods

To investigate the distribution of thickness of the joint cartilage, CT images in soft tissue kernel of nine specimens were analyzed using image visualization software. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the ANOVA test.

Results

Results showed different patterns in the glenoid cavity than in humeral head. Cartilage thickness in all glenoids showed maxima in the inferior and anterior portion, whereas central areas are covered with the thinnest cartilage layer. Maximum cartilage thickness in the humeral head was found in the central and superior parts.

Conclusion

We could show that the distribution of cartilage thickness in the glenohumeral joint is not homogenous and that there exist several reproducible patterns. Evaluation of cartilage thickness in the glenohumeral joint is of high interest in basic and clinical research.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Anatomy, University of Basel, Pestalozzistrasse 20, 4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Valentin Zumstein, Marko Kraljević, Sebastian Hoechel & Magdalena Müller-Gerbl

  2. Institute of Anatomy, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Pettenkoferstrasse 11, 80336, Munich, Germany

    Annemarie Conzen

Authors
  1. Valentin Zumstein
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  2. Marko Kraljević
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  3. Annemarie Conzen
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  4. Sebastian Hoechel
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  5. Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marko Kraljević.

Additional information

V. Zumstein and M. Kraljević contributed equally to this work.

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Zumstein, V., Kraljević, M., Conzen, A. et al. Thickness distribution of the glenohumeral joint cartilage: a quantitative study using computed tomography. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 327–331 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1221-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1221-2

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