[The magnetic resonance tomographic findings following the resection arthroplasty of the caput humeri].

Purpose: The resection of the humeral head is normally carried out only with respect to four-part and dislocation fractures in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there is a correlation between the clinical results and the MRI findings.

Material And Methods: 8 patients underwent clinical and MR examination two to 6 years after resection.

Results: A cartilage-like tissue formation between the remaining humeral head and the glenoid fossa, with signal intensities comparable to hyalin cartilage was found in all patients.

Conclusion: The good functional results following resectional surgery of the humeral head can partially be related to new substitute cartilage resulting from a chondroid metaplasia.