Role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of shoulder joint injuries

In addition to conventional radiograhy using standard and special projections, CT offers valuable information in selected cases. Native CT allows detection of minimal bony lesions, which may cause severe pain that is resistant to therapy. Small amouts of joint effusion as well as the Hill-Sachs impression fracture of the humeral head can be detected with a high degree of accuracy. Following intra-articular injection of contrast medium, CT-arthrography enables visualization of capsular and ligamentous injuries of the shoulder joint. Lesions of the glenoid labrum following shoulder dislocation can be detected and classified by this method. (orig)