Double-contrast arthrotomography of the shoulder.

We have used double-contrast arthrotomography to assess the glenoid labrum, as plain radiographs and single-contrast arthrograms are unsatisfactory for this purpose. Establishing the clinical diagnosis of a torn glenoid labrum may be difficult, as not all patients with such tears have a history of a previous shoulder dislocation. The glenoid labrum is seen distinctly on double-contrast arthrotomography, and tears are manifested by truncation or blunting of the anteroinferior lip. We compared the anatomy of the normal shoulder as seen in double-contrast arthrotomography with that seen in patients with surgically proved tears of the glenoid labrum. Double-contrast arthrotomography is an accurate method of assessing the integrity of the glenoid labrum, and it has important implications for the operative management of patients with trauma to the shoulder.