Review of bicipital groove morphology and its analysis in north Indian population

Radiographic evaluation of the bicipital groove morphology does not predict intraarticular changes in the long head of biceps tendon

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the clinical utility of the radiographic evaluation of the bicipital groove in predicting long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) pathology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted, and sixty consecutive patients proposed to shoulder arthroscopic surgery were selected. Before surgery, a radiographic evaluation was performed with a supine and a Fisk radiograph. Most supine radiographs (>75%) were non-interpretable and were excluded from the study. As some Fisk radiographs (26.7%) were also non-interpretable, that left 44 interpretable radiographs in the study. These were measured for medial opening angle, total opening angle, width and depth of the bicipital groove. The radiographic measurements and the presence of LHBT pathology, as assessed at arthroscopy, were correlated.

RESULTS

Radiographic evaluation of the bicipital groove showed a mean medial opening angle of 53 ± 15° (23-90), a mean total opening angle of 80 ± 26° (30-135), a mean width of 10.3 ± 2.5 mm (6-19) and a mean depth of 4.1 ± 1.5 mm (1-8). Men had higher medial opening angle (60 vs 50°, p = 0.044) and wider grooves (11.9 vs 9.7 mm, p = 0.019). Twenty-five patients (56.8%) were found to have an abnormal LHBT. No correlation was found between the radiographic measurements and LHBT pathology. Only age was correlated with a LHBT lesion (61.8 vs 46.3 years, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that there is no correlation between radiographic morphologic evaluation of the bicipital groove and LHBT pathology.

MRI morphological evaluation of humeral head bone profile inside region of the biceps pulley reflection

OBJECTIVE

Evaluating humeral head bone profile inside biceps reflection pulley area in order to identify possible anatomical variants and any causes predisposing to tendon's instability of the long head of the biceps.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed 326 patients, 183 males and 143 females (age 15-88 years; average 51.5 years), who underwent MRI examination between 2013 and 2019. Biceps pulley reflection area morphology of 192 right shoulders and 134 left shoulders was assessed analyzing 309 MRI and 17 MR arthrography (MRA) shoulder exams. We investigated age and gender and the frequency of morphological variants among the patient groups.

RESULTS

Four possible morphological variants were identified: 95 with convex shape; 127 with flat shape; 77 with spiculated shape; and 12 with mixed morphology. Fifteen humeral bone profiles were not classifiable.

CONCLUSIONS

MRI was effective in defining humeral head anatomic variants inside the biceps pulley reflection area. The most frequent variants were flat or convex types.

Radiographic evaluation of the bicipital groove morphology does not predict intraarticular changes in the long head of biceps tendon

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the clinical utility of the radiographic evaluation of the bicipital groove in predicting long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) pathology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted, and sixty consecutive patients proposed to shoulder arthroscopic surgery were selected. Before surgery, a radiographic evaluation was performed with a supine and a Fisk radiograph. Most supine radiographs (>75%) were non-interpretable and were excluded from the study. As some Fisk radiographs (26.7%) were also non-interpretable, that left 44 interpretable radiographs in the study. These were measured for medial opening angle, total opening angle, width and depth of the bicipital groove. The radiographic measurements and the presence of LHBT pathology, as assessed at arthroscopy, were correlated.

RESULTS

Radiographic evaluation of the bicipital groove showed a mean medial opening angle of 53±15o (23 - 90), a mean total opening angle of 80±26o (30 - 135), a mean width of 10.3±2.5mm (6 - 19) and a mean depth of 4.1±1.5mm (1 - 8). Men had higher medial opening angle (60 vs 50o, p=0.044) and wider grooves (11.9 vs 9.7mm, p=0.019). Twenty-five patients (56.8%) were found to have an abnormal LHBT. No correlation was found between the radiographic measurements and LHBT pathology. Only age was correlated with a LHBT lesion (61.8 vs 46.3 years, p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that there is no correlation between radiographic morphologic evaluation of the bicipital groove and LHBT pathology.

Morphometric Study on Bicipital Groove among South Indian Population

INTRODUCTION

The Bicipital Groove (BG) is an indentation between the lesser and greater tubercles of the proximal part of the humerus. It conveys biceps tendon, its synovial sheath and ascending branch of anterior circumflex humeral artery. The knowledge of the morphometry is important for the understanding of the functional aspect of the shoulder region.

AIM

To study the morphometry of bicipital groove of humerus in south Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, 100 adult humeri (50 right and 50 left) were examined. The length of the medial wall, lateral wall, width and depth were measured by using vernier calliper. The humeri were examined for the presence of supratubercular ridge. All the parameters were accurately measured and the data were analysed.

RESULTS

The mean length of BG on right side was 84.79±5.84 mm and 87.33±6.40mm on the left side. The mean width of BG on right side was 6.84±1.01mm and 7.74±1.96mm on the left side. The mean depth of BG on right side was 4.21±0.58 mm and 5.01±1.05mm on the left side. The mean length of the medial and lateral walls on the right side was 24.22±1.02mm and 32.05±2.21mm respectively and that on the left side was 23.31±2.21mm and 31.12±0.24mm respectively. 17% of humeri on the right side and 14% on the left side showed the presence of supratubercular ridge of Meyer in the present study.

CONCLUSION

Bicipital groove is present in the shoulder region where wide range of movements occurs. Osseous spurs and supratubercular ridge may predispose dislocation of tendon of biceps brachii. Hence morphometric knowledge is obligatory and is significant functionally and clinically for better understanding of this region.