The value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of labral lesions in patients with anterior shoulder dislocation.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ability of ultrasonography to detect labral lesions in patients with anterior shoulder dislocation.

METHODS

We examined 29 patients with anterior shoulder dislocation with ultrasonography prior to arthroscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients had labral lesions diagnosed by arthroscopy. These lesions were detected by ultrasonography with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 67%. All lesions affected the anterior labrum, while six extended to the posterior labrum. The latter were not visualized by ultrasonography.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonography is valuable in the detection of anterior labral lesions even in patients with recent shoulder dislocation.