Are spinoglenoid ganglion cysts early markers of glenohumeral arthritis?

HypothesisThe objective of this study was to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and symptoms of ganglion cysts (GCs) in the spinoglenoid notch. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) the labral tears responsible for these cysts are mainly degenerative and nontraumatic, (2) spinoglenoid cysts are early magnetic resonance image (MRI) markers of eccentric posterior glenoid wear.Materials and methodsThis was a descriptive diagnostic study. Patients were included when a spinoglenoid cyst was discovered after complaints of pain in the posterosuperior aspect of the shoulder. MRI and arthroscopy were used to classify the glenoid GC and characterize the glenohumeral joint. The GCs were classified into 1 of 3 types: GC0 (isolated cyst), GC1 (cyst and associated labral lesion), and GC2 (cyst and associated labral and cartilage lesion).ResultsTwenty patients (average age, 43 years) were included between 2000 and 2014. There were 7 GC0, 8 GC1, and 5 GC2 type cysts. Isolated labral tears (GC1) were always located posteriorly, without anterior extension or glenoid detachment. The humeral subluxation index was above 55% in 75% of shoulders, including all of the type GC2 shoulders. The 5 GC2 shoulders had type B1, B2, or C glenoids.ConclusionsThe management of paraglenoid labral cysts must go beyond addressing the suprascapular nerve compression related to traumatic labral detachment, and surgeons should look automatically for associated degenerative joint damage. The diagnosis of GCs should be supplemented by humeral subluxation index measurement on computed tomography scan or MRI, and the patient should be informed that joint-related posterior shoulder pain might persist in cases of GC1 and GC2.Level of evidenceBasic Science Study; Anatomy; Imaging and In Vivo