Purpose
Our purpose was to investigate the frequency of intraarticular gas in the glenohumeral joint and sternoclavicular joint, along
with the influence of the patient’s arm position.
Materials and methods
Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) scan on a total of 104 healthy subjects was investigated retrospectively. Raised-arm
and lowered-arm positions were used sequentially, and the presence of intraarticular gas was investigated.
Results
While the arms were in a raised position, intraarticular gas was observed in the glenohumeral joint about 9% of all subjects
and in the sternoclavicular joint about 20% of all subjects. Intraarticular gas in the most subjects disappeared when the
arms were lowered.
Conclusion
When scanning with the arms in a raised position, intraarticular gas was seen in the glenohumeral and/or and sternoclavicular
joint, and disappeared in most cases when the body position was changed. Such intraarticular gas is thought to result from
traction of the limbs and is considered clinically insignificant.
Key words Intraarticular gas - Vacuum phenomenon - Glenohumeral joint - Sternoclavicular joint