Background
There is limited data in the literature regarding the role of nonarthrographic MRI for detecting biceps pulley (BP) lesions.

Purpose
To assess the accuracy of nonarthrographic MRI for detecting BP lesions, and to evaluate the diagnostic value of various MRI signs (superior glenohumeral ligament discontinuity/nonvisibility, long head of biceps (LHB) displacement sign or subluxation/dislocation, LHB tendinopathy, and supraspinatus and subscapularis tendon lesions) in detecting such lesions.

Study Type
Retrospective.

Population
84 patients (32 in BP-lesion group and 52 in BP-intact group-as confirmed by arthroscopy).

Field Strength/Sequence
1.5-T, T1-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE), T2-weighted TSE, and proton density-weighted TSE spectral attenuated inversion recovery (SPAIR) sequences.

Assessment
Three radiologists independently reviewed all MRI data for the presence of BP lesions and various MRI signs. The MRI signs and final MRI diagnoses were tested for accuracy regarding detecting BP lesions using arthroscopy results as the reference standard. Furthermore, the inter-reader agreement (IRA) between radiologists was determined.

Statistical Tests
Student's t-tests, Chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests, and 4-fold table test were used. The IRA was calculated using Kappa statistics. A P-value