A clinical and radiological observation of shoulder arthrography

The authors analyzed 23 cases of shoulder arthrography performed at Busan National University Hospital and Inje Medical College Paik Hospital for about 2.5 years from March 1981 to September 1983, both clinically and radiologically. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Of the 23 cases, 20 cases (87.0%) were male and 3 cases (13.0%) were female, and the most prevalent age group was second decade. 2. Right shoulder arthrography was performed in 16 cases (69.6%), and left in 7 cases (30.4%). 3. The number of cases which had had certain history of trauma was 13 (56.5%), and remainder of 10 cases (43.5%) had no history of trauma. 4. Frequent symptoms and signs were pain in shoulder region in 16 cases (69.6%) and limitation of motion in 14 cases (60.9%). 5. On plain film findings, 18 cases (78.3%) were normal, and 5 cases (21.7%) were abnormal. 6. On shoulder arthrographic findings, 16 cases (69.6%) were normal, and 7 cases (30.4%) were abnormal. Those abnormal cases were consisted of 2 cases (8.7%) of adhesive capsulitis, 2 cases (8.7%) of chronic shoulder dislocation, 1 case (4.3%) of rotator cuff tear, 1 case (4.3%) of loose bodies in joint cavity, and 1 case (4.3%) of rupture of biceps tendon sheath. 7. Among routine views of shoulder arthrography of normal cases, the external rotation view revealed axillary recess and biceps tendon more distincity, and the internal rotation view revealed subscapular bursa more clearly. In case of double contrast shoulder arthrography, the contour and thickness of the medial segment of the contrast coated humeral articular cartilage were well demonstrated in erect views, with air-fluid levels in axillary recess, biceps tendon sheath and subscapular bursa. 8. The 2 cases of adhesive capsulitis revealed small joint space, obliteration of the axillary recess and subscapular bursa, and failure to fill the bicipital sheath. 9. The 2 cases of capsular deformities by chronic shoulder dislocation demonstrated loss of normal concavity of neck of the subscapular bursa and redundant joint capsule. 10. The 1 case of typical rotator cuff tear showed abnormal filling of the contrast medium into the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa. 11. Shoulder arthrography was relatively simple to perform, had no complication, and was regarded as very useful diagnostic method in evaluation of lesion in joint cavity.