Are Metaversion and Glenoid Version Useful in Determining the Humeral Head Version

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the humeral head version and the cartilage- or bone-based glenoid version measurements on magnetic resonance imaging and to evaluate the usability of the glenoid articular surface and metaversion to determine the humeral head version. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging slices of 182 patients were evaluated in this retrospective study. Bone- and cartilage-based glenoid version angles, humeral head version angles, and metaversion angles were measured by 3 researchers. All measurements were made twice, with an interval of 2 months. Interrater and intrarater reliability were evaluated. Results: The mean glenoid version angle was calculated as −3.58 ± 4.09° when measured from bone tissue and −5.79 ± 4.3° when measured from cartilage tissue. A non-linear correlation was determined between the measurements taken from bone and cartilage tissue for the glenoid version angle (r=0.423). No statistically significant difference was determined between the inter- and intraobserver measurements (P=.223). No statistically significant difference was determined in the inter- and intrarater reliability for the humeral head version angle and metaversion angle measurements. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the humeral head version and the mean glenoid version measured from bone (P=.019). A negative correlation was observed between the bone-based glenoid version and the humeral head version (P=.034). Conclusion: In cases in which the humeral metaphysis can be evaluated, metaversion is a good guide for the humeral head version. In cases in which the metaphysis cannot be evaluated, the glenoid version is a good option for determining the humeral head version. Further studies are needed to determine the humeral head version relative to the glenoid version.