Calcific tendinitis of the biceps-labral complex : A rare cause of acute shoulder pain


Published online: Jun 27 2008

Jong-Hun Ji, Mohamed Shafi, Weon-Yoo Kim

From the Catholic University, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, South Korea

Abstract

Calcific tendinitis most commonly affects the rotator cuff and has not been previously reported affecting the biceps-labral complex. We report a case of calcific tendinitis of the biceps-labral complex attachment, a rare cause of acute, severe shoulder pain. Clinically, it can be misdiagnosed as supraspinatus tendinitis or septic arthritis of the shoulder joint. Non-operative treatment failed to resolve the symptoms. Arthroscopic debridement of the calcific deposit resulted in resolution of symptoms. Knowledge of this clinical condition and its imaging features is crucial for a correct diagnosis of this uncommon cause of shoulder pain.