Imaging study	Advantages	Disadvantages
Arthrography (used with MRI or CT to visualize the joint capsule and glenoid labrum)39	CT arthrography shows biceps tendon subluxations, ruptures, dislocations, and SLAP lesions14 MRI arthrography is preferable for diagnosing biceps lesions and SLAP lesions14 because the agreement between MRI and arthroscopy for biceps lesions is only 37 percent and 60 percent for rotator cuff lesions	Invasive Filling of the biceps tendon sheath is unreliable40 Sharp images of the tendon may be lost41 Ionizing radiation
Bicipital groove view radiography33	Shows the width and medial wall angle of the bicipital groove, spurs in the groove, and supertubercular bone spur or ridge Inexpensive12	Does not show possible intra-articular disorders of the labrum (soft tissue injuries)32
MRI	Excellent evaluation of the superior labral complex and biceps tendon39	Partial tears of the biceps tendon are more difficult to detect than complete ruptures Expensive5 Poorly correlated with arthroscopy14
Radiography (anteroposterior views of the shoulder and acromioclavicular joint, lateral axilla, outlet view, and ALVIS view)10	Rules out shoulder fracture and strains or dislocations of the acromioclavicular joint and arthritis of the glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint Inexpensive Cystic changes in the lesser tuberosity are a sign of biceps tendinosis or upper subscapularis tear14 In impingement syndrome, a subacromial spur is usually visible on the outlet and ALVIS views	Shows only bony origins of impingement syndrome and not soft tissue
Ultrasonography	Relatively inexpensive May be used for patients with metallic implants Dynamic Widely available No ionizing radiation Offers better spatial resolution than MRI and may be used for local anesthetic or corticosteroid injections into the biceps tendon sheath14,33–39 An overall sensitivity of 49 percent and a specificity of 97 percent	Requires an experienced operator High frequency array transducer Blind areas Difficult to scan patients who are obese14,33–39