Anterior Glenoid Rim Erosion Measured by X-ray Exam: a Simple Way to Perform the Bernageau Profile View.

OBJECTIVE To analyze whether the Bernageau radiographic view is adequate for studying the anterior glenoid rim and to determine the distance between the posterior and anterior glenoid rims. METHODS Fifty patients (31 males) with a mean age of 34 years were evaluated by positioning their arm at 160° forward flexion and body at 70° to the x-ray chassis, while positioning the x-ray tube at 30° craniocaudally, centered on the scapula spine. Three of the authors measured the distance between the posterior and anterior glenoid rim three times. The variability and reproducibility of this distance were studied. Three shoulder surgeons performed a subjective evaluation by answering whether it was possible to evaluate the anterior glenoid rim in the view studied. RESULTS The mean distance was 24.48 mm ± 0.332 mm (left) and 24.82 mm ± 0.316 mm (right). The Anderson-Darling test showed that the measurements had normal distribution, and Pearson's correlation showed significant reproducibility (P < 0.01). The first observer found that 67% of the x-ray images were suitable for evaluating the anterior glenoid rim. The second found that 81% were suitable and the third, 78%. The kappa coefficient showed that the second and third observers had substantial agreement of opinion. CONCLUSION The Bernageau view provided a suitable x-ray image for studying the anterior glenoid rim and for assessing erosion after comparison with the unaffected side.