Florian M. Buck1, Holger Grehn2, Monika Hilbe3, Silvana Manzanell4, Juerg Hodler1
1Department of Radiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; 3Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 4MSRU, Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, ZH, Switzerland
Problem: Diagnosis of biceps tendinopathy in the shoulder is difficult (artifacts, complex anatomy, degeneration). Method: Evaluation of tendon caliber and signal in MRI and comparison with gross anatomy and histology in cadaveric specimen. Results: Agreement between gross anatomy and MRI was moderate to strong. Agreement between MRI and histology concerning the location of tendon degeneration was good. A diameter alteration always concurred with a tendon degeneration histologically. Conclusion: Biceps tendon caliber changes are specific for tendinopathy but lack sensitivity. Signal changes are useful in the diagnosis of tendinopathy although none of the employed sequences in isolation demonstrated histological changes precisely.