Imaging in shoulder disorders

Abstract

Clinical assessment of the patient with shoulder symptoms can usually localize the cause to one of a few syndromes, each associated with specific imaging questions. MRI is used as the primary form of investigation for recurrent dislocation, SLAP lesions and PSI, as well as articular cartilage, synovial disease, tumours and infection. Ultrasound plays the leading role in impingement, acromioclavicular disease, dynamic assessment and guided therapy. Both techniques are reported to play a role in adhesive capsulitis. In our hospital, approximately four times as many shoulder ultrasound examinations as shoulder MRI are carried out, but elsewhere these proportions will vary according to the prevalence of clinical syndromes in the population being treated.