1 Shoulder Radiography: 1.1 Examination Technique and Shoulder Views
1 Shoulder Radiography: 1.1 Examination Technique and Shoulder Views
1 Shoulder Radiography: 1.1 Examination Technique and Shoulder Views
1 Shoulder Radiography
S. Bianchi, N. Prato, C. Martinoli, L. E. Derchi
1.1
Although in recent years US, CT and MRI, together Examination Technique and Shoulder Views
with CT and MR arthrography, have gained wide
popularity in the evaluation of shoulder diseases, 1.1.1
standard radiography (SR) still remains the most AP View of the Shoulder Region
often performed imaging examination of this ana-
tomical region. The main advantages of SR are the The anteroposterior (AP) view (Fig. 1.1) is the most
easy accessibility, low cost, panoramic view and short commonly obtained view of the shoulder and the
time of examination. Additionally, the basic findings easiest to perform by the technologist, particularly
provided by radiography are well known and familiar in severely traumatised patients. The patient can be
both to radiologists and clinicians. examined either standing or supine with the trunk
Disadvantages of SR include the low capability not rotated. The X-ray beam is centred medial to
to assess soft tissues lesions (with the exclusion of the glenohumeral joint. A large cassette (30×40 cm)
allows visualisation of the scapula, the proximal por-
tion of the humerus and the lateral chest wall. Since
S. Bianchi, MD the scapula is not oriented in a true coronal plane,
Division of Radiodiagnosis and Interventional Radiology, but lies in a coronal oblique plane (40°), this view is
Hopital Cantonal Universitaire, 24 rue Micheli-du-Crest, 1211 not perpendicular to the scapula and is not tangential
Geneva, Switzerland
N. Prato, MD to the glenohumeral joint space. Then, the obliquity
Division of Radiodiagnosis, Ospedale San Carlo, Piazzale Gia- of the beam with respect to the axis of the scapula
nasso, 16158 Genoa, Italy results in an elliptical appearance of the glenoid
C. Martinoli, MD cavity. The anterior rim of the glenoid fossa projects
Istituto di Radiologia, Università di Genova, Largo R Benzi 8, medially while the posterior rim projects laterally.
16100 Genoa, Italy
L. E. Derchi, MD Since the humeral head overlies the glenoid, assess-
Istituto di Radiologia, Università di Genova, Largo R Benzi 8, ment of the glenohumeral space is suboptimal in this
16100 Genoa, Italy view. The arm is usually held in neutral rotation.
4 S. Bianchi et al.
a b
Fig. 1.1a, b. AP view of the shoulder region and examination technique with corresponding radiographs. The radiograph is
obtained utilising a horizontal beam and without rotation of the trunk of the patient. a Since the beam is not tangential to the
glenohumeral joint, the glenoid cavity appears as an ellipse that superposes to the medial aspect of the humeral head. Assess-
ment of the glenohumeral space is suboptimal. The arm is in neutral rotation. Employment of a large cassette allows good
visualisation of the scapula, proximal portion of the humerus and of the chest wall. b Enlargement of (a) shows the glenoid
fossa as an elliptical structure. White arrow, posterior glenoid rim; black arrow, anterior glenoid rim
a b c
d e f
Fig. 1.2a–f. AP tangential view and examination technique with corresponding radiographs. Radiographs obtained with (a) neutral,
(b) internal and (c) external rotation of the arm. The views allow optimal assessment of the glenohumeral joint and subacromial
space. Note superposition of the anterior and posterior glenoid rim (arrows) and the sharply defined cortical line corresponding
to the inferior surface of the acromion (small arrow). The coracoid process overly the medial aspect of the humeral head (Co).
The different rotations of the arm lead to en face and en profile view of the greater tuberosity (GT) (asterisk) and lesser tuberosity
(small asterisk). d Peribursal fat. A thin curvilinear radiolucency (arrows) extending from the undersurface of the acromion to
the GT corresponds to the fat located at each side of the subacromiodeltoideal bursa. e, f Rotator cuff calcifications. External (e)
and internal (f) rotation projections disclose calcifications inside the supraspinatus (black arrow) and infraspinatus (white arrow)
tendons. With internal rotation the calcification located inside the posterior infraspinatus tendon moves laterally
and concluded that the image is due to the difference apparent in young individuals. In the rare cases in
of density between the abundant spongiosa in the which the image is doubtful, examination of the
medial metaphysis and the more porous spongiosa in contralateral shoulder performed with the identical
the GT region, laterally. The more abundant metaphy- angulation of the X-ray beam and the same rotation
seal spongiosa explains why the pseudocyst is more of the arm, shows a similar finding.
6 S. Bianchi et al.
b c
d e
8 S. Bianchi et al.
a b
1.1.7
Apical Oblique View
a b
c d
Fig. 1.6a–d. Axillary view. Drawing showing the examination technique and corresponding radiographs. a, b Internal (a) and
external (b) rotation axillary views allow tangential demonstration of the anterior and posterior aspect of the glenoid fossa and
scapular neck. Accurate assessment of the glenohumeral relations and of the acromioclavicular joint is also obtained. White
arrow = posterior glenoid rim, black arrow = anterior glenoid rim. Acr, acromion; Cl, lateral epiphysis of the clavicle; Co, cora-
coid. c, d Axillary views in a patient with voluntary shoulder instability obtained before (c) and after (d) dislocation confirm
posterior subluxation of the humeral head. Gl, glenoid cavity; HH, humeral head
a b
Fig. 1.7a, b. Apical oblique view and examination technique with corresponding radiographs. a Caudal angulation of the X-ray
beam results in an elongated appearance of the humeral head. The clavicle appears shorter because of the posterior oblique
position of the patients. The posterosuperior aspect of the humeral head and the inferior aspect of the anterior glenoid rim
are well visualised. Co, coracoid process; Cl, clavicle. b In a patient with posterior dislocation of the shoulder note superior
displacement of the humerus and superposition of glenoid fossa and humeral head
10 S. Bianchi et al.
1.1.8 1.1.9
Bernageau View Stryker View
The Bernageau view was introduced in 1966 to obtain This projection, also known as the „notch“ view, was
an optimal visualisation of the anteroinferior segment reported in 1959 as a useful means for detecting
of the glenoid rim in patients with anterior instabil- humeral head fractures associated with anterior dislo-
ity (Bernageau et al. 1966) (Fig. 1.8). Because of the cation of the shoulder (Hall et al. 1959) (Fig. 1.9. The
curvilinear shape of the rim, its inferior portion super- patient is supine with his/her arm flexed and the palm
imposes on the superior segment when imaged in the placed on the top of the head. The beam is directed to
axillary view (that is tangential to the middle third). the coracoid process, 10° cephalad. This view is also
Since the inferior portion of the rim is more frequently performed in a standing patient. Furthermore, the
damaged in anterior shoulder dislocation, the authors view allows a good assessment of the AC joint.
introduced this projection to allow its true tangential
view and accurate assessment. The patient (standing
or seated) is examined in anterior oblique position 1.1.10
with the arm abducted at 135° and the hand resting on West Point View
the head. The beam is directed on the posterior aspect
of the shoulder. A 30° caudal tilt of the X-ray beam is The West Point view was introduced to evaluate bone
utilised. Optimal angulation of the beam and rotation changes secondary to anterior dislocations of the
of the patient can be obtained under fluoroscopic guide. shoulder (Rokous et al. 1972). The patient lies prone
Bilateral examination has been suggested for evaluation with the arm abducted at 90° and the forearm hang-
of subtle changes (Bernageau and Patte 1984) ing over the lateral aspect of the table. The cassette
a b
Shoulder Radiography 11
Fig. 1.9. Stryker view and examination technique with corresponding radiographs. Radiograph shows the postero-superior por-
tion of the humeral head (white arrow). The coracoid including its base is well demonstrated. Cor, coracoid process
is positioned on the superior aspect of the shoulder, tion of AC instability, particularly in patients with
perpendicular to the table. The ray beam is directed mild subluxation. Imaging of both joints in a single
to the axilla and is angled 25° in a cephalad direction cassette provides comparison with the contralateral
and 25° in a lateral to medial direction. joint and allows demonstration of subtle findings.
1.1.11 1.1.12
AC Views Sternoclavicular Views
The AC joint is imaged in almost all the shoulder Although different views have been described to
views but superimposition of other structures usu- evaluate the sternoclavicular joint, all lead to poor
ally limits the correct interpretation of the radio- results because of the impossibility of imaging the
logical findings (Fig. 1.10). Optimal visualisation of joint in the axial plane.
the joint can be obtained in an AP view with a 15°
cephalic tilt of the beam. Utilisation of equalisation
silicone filters is useful since they avoid peripheral
over-penetration and allow a better assessment of 1.2
both the AC joint and the subacromial space. Clinical Application
Stress AP radiographs are performed by asking
the patient to hold a 5 kg weight in both hands. The A radiograph of the shoulder can be performed basi-
traction on the upper arms allows good visualisa- cally in two situations: As a part of a radiographic
Fig. 1.10. AC view and examination technique with corresponding radiographs. Cranial oriented X-ray beam shows the acromio-
clavicular joint. Acr, acromion; Cl, clavicle; Cor, coracoid process
12 S. Bianchi et al.
evaluation of an acute post-traumatic patient, to rule coracoacromial ligament. In patients with a history of
out the possibility of a fracture or a dislocation, or previous shoulder instability, the Bernageau projec-
as a part of an imaging evaluation when a shoulder tion allows optimal visualisation of the anteroinferior
problem is clinically suspected. segment of the glenoid rim. The Hill-Sachs lesion can
be well imaged in a variety of views including the
apical oblique view, the AP view obtained with maxi-
1.2.1 mal internal rotation, the Stryker view and the West
Acute Post-traumatic Examination Point view (Sartoris and Resnick 1995).
The most common questions to be answered in the Acknowledgements. The authors thank Miss. Mariella
radiographic evaluation of the acute patient are two: Ferrando RDT and Mr. Alessandro Franconeri RDT
Is there a fracture? Is there a dislocation? In this clini- for their help in preparing the schematic drawings
cal setting, the smaller number of views in the most and the illustrations
comfortable patient positions must be obtained.
If the patient cannot stand up and lies supine, the
shoulder can be imaged in the anteroposterior view
with a 35×43 cm cassette. The use of a wider cassette References
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