Anterosuperior labral variants of the shoulder: appearance on gradient-recalled-echo and fast spin-echo MR images

PURPOSE: To characterize the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of two anterosuperior labral variants, the sublabral foramen (SLF) and the Buford complex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The axial gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) MR images and the fat-suppressed, T2-weighted, fast spin-echo (SE) images were reviewed in 19 patients with arthroscopically proved SLF and 11 patients with a Buford complex. The anterosuperior labrum was graded as normal, detached, or absent on the images. RESULTS: For the patients with an SLF, the anterosuperior labrum was graded as detached in all patients who underwent fast SE imaging but in only 43% of patients who underwent GRE imaging. For the patients with a Buford complex, the anterosuperior labrum was graded as absent in only 30% of patients who underwent GRE imaging and in none of the patients who underwent fast SE imaging. CONCLUSION: Isolated MR abnormalities of the anterosuperior labrum may represent either of the two asymptomatic labral variants.