Anatomic, histologic, and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities of the shoulder.

Six fresh frozen, human cadaver shoulders were evaluated for gross anatomic, magnetic resonance imaging, and histologic abnormalities. The shoulders underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging with and without intraarticular Gadolinium using a standard surface shoulder coil. The shoulders were dissected in a systematic fashion to yield 18 anatomic specimens from the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon as well as the glenoid labrum. These specimens were studied histologically using hematoxylin and eosin and Goldner's trichrome stains. Gross anatomic and magnetic resonance image abnormalities of the rotator cuff corresponded to histologic changes consistent with tendon degeneration. However, there was a poor correlation between gross anatomic, magnetic resonance image, and histologic changes of degeneration in the glenoid labrum. In general, histologic degeneration was more severe than abnormalities seen either grossly or on magnetic resonance images.