Skeletal development of the glenoid and glenoid–coracoid interface in the pediatric population: MRI features

To assess the MRI appearance of normal skeletal development of the glenoid and glenoid–coracoid interface in the pediatric population. To the best of our knowledge, this has not yet been studied in detail in the literature.

An IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective review of 105 consecutive shoulder MRI studies in children, ages 2 months to 18 years was performed. The morphology, MR signal, and development of the following were assessed: (1) scapular-coracoid bipolar growth plate, (2) glenoid and glenoid–coracoid interface secondary ossification centers, (3) glenoid advancing osseous surface.

The glenoid and glenoid–coracoid interface were identified in infancy as a contiguous, cartilaginous mass. A subcoracoid secondary ossification center in the superior glenoid was identified and fused in all by age 12 and 16, respectively. In ten studies, additional secondary ossification centers were identified in the inferior two-thirds of the glenoid. The initial concavity of the glenoid osseous surface gradually transformed to convexity, matching the convex glenoid articular surface. The glenoid growth plate fused by 16 years of age. Our study, based on MRI, demonstrated a similar pattern of development of the glenoid and glenoid coracoid interface to previously reported anatomic and radiographic studies, except for an earlier development and fusion of the secondary ossification centers of the inferior glenoid.

The pattern of skeletal development of the glenoid and glenoid–coracoid interface follows a chronological order, which can serve as a guideline when interpreting MRI studies in children.