Diagnostic injection around the shoulder: hit and miss? A cadaveric study of injection accuracy

J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1998 Mar-Apr;7(2):147-50. doi: 10.1016/s1058-2746(98)90226-9.

Abstract

In a cadaver study the success of injections in the subacromial space and acromioclavicular joint was studied. Twenty-four shoulders were dissected after separate dye injection was performed with the patient in the supine position. Subacromial bursa injection was successful in 83% (20 shoulders), but in 15 shoulders other structures were also infiltrated, including seven injections in the rotator cuff. Acromioclavicular joint injection was successful in 67% (16 shoulders), but half involved other structures. The authors believe that misplaced injections may be diagnostically misleading and potentially harmful.

MeSH terms

  • Acromioclavicular Joint*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anesthetics, Local / administration & dosage*
  • Bursa, Synovial*
  • Cadaver
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Injections*
  • Middle Aged
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries
  • Rupture

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Glucocorticoids