Abstract #0297

Degeneration of the Long Biceps Tendon of the Shoulder: Comparison of MR Imaging with Gross Anatomy and Histology.

Florian M. Buck¹, Holger Grehn², Monika Hilbe³, Silvana Manzanell⁴, Juerg Hodler¹

¹Department of Radiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; ²Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; ³Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; ⁴MSRU, Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, ZH, Switzerland

Problem: Diagnosis of biceps tendinopathy in the shoulder is difficult (artifacts, complex anatomy, degeneration). Method: Evaluation of tendon caliber and signal in MRI and comparison with gross anatomy and histology in cadaveric specimen. Results: Agreement between gross anatomy and MRI was moderate to strong. Agreement between MRI and histology concerning the location of tendon degeneration was good. A diameter alteration always concurred with a tendon degeneration histologically. Conclusion: Biceps tendon caliber changes are specific for tendinopathy but lack sensitivity. Signal changes are useful in the diagnosis of tendinopathy although none of the employed sequences in isolation demonstrated histological changes precisely.