The macroscopic delineation of the edge of the glenoid labrum: an anatomic evaluation of an open and arthroscopic visual reference

Revisiting the Anterior Glenoid: An Analysis of the Calcified Cartilage Layer, Capsulolabral Complex, and Glenoid Bone Density

PURPOSE

In this cadaveric study, we aim to define the basic anatomy of the anterior glenoid with attention to the relationships of calcified cartilage, capsulolabral complex, and osseous morphology of the anterior glenoid.

METHODS

Seventeen cadaveric glenoid specimens (14 male, 3 female, mean age 53.9 ± 10) were imaged with micro-computed tomography (CT) and embedded in poly-methyl-methacrylate. Specimens were included for final analysis only if the entire glenoid articular cartilage, labrum, capsule, and biceps insertion were pristine and without evidence of injury, degeneration, or damage during the preparation process. Group 1 members (n = 9) were axially sectioned through 3 to 9 o'clock and 4 to 8 o'clock; group 2 members (n = 8) were radially sectioned through 3, 4, 5, and 9 o'clock. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis quantified the percentage of bone within a 5 × 2.5 mm region at the glenoid rim. Micro-CT, SEM, and light microscopy evaluated the capsulolabral complex and calcified fibrocartilage.

RESULTS

A 7 ± 2.1 mm region of calcified fibrocartilage at 4 o'clock was identified from the articular face to the medial glenoid neck supporting the overlying capsulolabral footprint and was >3× thicker at the articular attachment (316 ± 153 μm) versus the glenoid neck (92 ± 66 μm). At 3 to 9 o'clock and 4 to 8 o'clock 79.2% ± 5.4% and 75.2% ± 7.8% of the glenoid osseous width was covered with articular cartilage. The labrum accounted for 13.1% ± 3.4% of the glenoid width at 4 o'clock. SEM analysis demonstrated decreased glenoid bone density at 3, 4, and 5 o'clock (P ≤ .015) and no difference (P = .448) at 9 o'clock versus central subchondral bone.

CONCLUSIONS

The capsulolabral footprint contributes significantly to the glenoid face, inserts directly adjacent to the articular cartilage, and extends medially along the glenoid neck. A layer of calcified fibrocartilage lies immediately beneath the capsulolabral footprint and is 3× thicker at the articular insertion compared with the glenoid neck. Lastly, there is a bone density gradient at the anterior-inferior rim versus the central subchondral bone.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Arthroscopic Bankart repair has been reported to have a significant failure rate in many settings. It is felt that reproducing anatomy with the repair could help improve outcomes. Based on this study's findings, an arthroscopic Bankart technique that most closely reproduces native anatomy and potentially optimizes soft-tissue healing could be performed. This includes removal of 1 to 2 mm of articular cartilage from the glenoid face with anchor placement at this location to appropriately reposition the capsulolabral complex.

What can the Radiologist do to Help the Surgeon Manage Shoulder Instability?

Imaging of the shoulder forms an important adjunct in clinical decision making in patients with shoulder instability. The typical lesions related with classic anterior and anteroinferior shoulder dislocation are an anteroinferior labral avulsion with or without bony fragment of bone loss – a (bony) Bankart lesion – and a posterolateral humeral head impaction fracture – the Hill-Sachs lesions. These are relatively straightforward to identify on imaging, although normal variants of the inferior labrum and variants of labral damage may cause confusion. Other capsuloligamentous lesions, often associated with less typical types of instability, are much more difficult to identify correctly on imaging, as they occur in the anterosuperior part of the glenohumeral joint with its many normal variants or because they result in more subtle, and therefore easily overlooked, changes in morphology or signal intensity. This paper aims at describing the appearance of the normal and pathologic glenohumeral joint related to shoulder instability. Ample reference will be given as to why identification of abnormalities, whether normal or pathologic, is important to the surgeon facing a treatment decision.

Sublabral clefts and recesses in the anterior, inferior, and posterior glenoid labrum at MR arthrography

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence of a normal variant cleft/recess at the labral-chondral junction in the anterior, inferior, and posterior portions of the shoulder joint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and three consecutive patients (106 shoulders) who had a direct MR arthrogram followed by arthroscopic surgery were enrolled in this IRB-approved study. Scans were carried out on a 1.5-T scanner with an eight-channel shoulder coil. The glenoid rim was divided into eight segments and the labrum in all but the superior and anterosuperior segments was evaluated by two radiologists for the presence of contrast between the labrum and articular cartilage. We measured the depth of any cleft/recess and correlated the MR findings with surgical results. Generalized estimating equation models were used to correlate patient age and gender with the presence and depth of a cleft/recess, and Cohen's kappa values were calculated for interobserver variability.

RESULTS

For segments that were normal at surgery, a cleft/recess was present within a segment on MR arthrogram images in as few as 7 % of patients (within the posteroinferior segment by observer 1), and in up to 61 % of patients (within the posterosuperior segment by observer 1). 55-83 % of these were only 1 mm deep. A 2- to 3-mm recess was seen within 0-37 % of the labral segments, most commonly in the anterior, anteroinferior, and posterosuperior segments. Age and gender did not correlate with the presence of a cleft/recess, although there was an association between males and a 2- to 3-mm deep recess (p = 0.03). The interobserver variability for each segment ranged between 0.15 and 0.49, indicating slight to moderate agreement.

CONCLUSION

One-mm labral-chondral clefts are not uncommon throughout the labrum. A 2- to 3-mm deep smooth, medially curved recess in the anterior, anteroinferior or posterosuperior labrum can rarely be seen, typically as a continuation of a superior recess or anterosuperior labral variant.

Fibrocartilage in various regions of the human glenoid labrum. An immunohistochemical study on human cadavers

PURPOSE

The nature and the distribution of fibrocartilage at the human glenoid labrum are unclear, and a better understanding may help to restore its function in open and arthroscopic Bankart repair. Aim of this study was to describe the fibrocartilage extent within the labrum at clinically relevant sites of the glenoid in order to relate the molecular composition of the labrum to its mechanical environment.

METHODS

Twelve fresh frozen human cadaveric shoulders (mean age 38 years) were obtained, and sections perpendicular to the glenoid rim at the 12, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 o' clock position were labelled with antibodies against collagen I and II, aggrecan and link protein.

RESULTS

A fibrocartilaginous transition zone with a characteristic collagen fibre orientation was found in 81% of cases, evenly distributed (83-92%) around the glenoid rim. The percentage of labrum cross-sectional area comprised of fibrocartilage averaged 28% and ranged from 26% at 12 o'clock on the glenoid clock face to 30% at 3 o'clock. The highest amount of fibrocartilage (82%) was found in the region neighbouring the hyaline articular cartilage. In the region beyond the bony edge of the glenoid, fibrocartilage cross-sectional area did not exceed 12-17%.

CONCLUSION

Fibrocartilage is present at all examined positions around the glenoid rim and constitutes up to 1/3 of the cross-sectional area of the labrum. In turn, the percentage of fibrocartilage in different regions of its cross-section varies considerably. The findings suggest that the penetration of fibrocartilaginous tissue may be reduced by avoiding the highly fibrocartilage transition zone during restoration of labral detachment.