Acromiohumeral interval

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 15 Dec 2022

Acromiohumeral interval is a useful and reliable measurement on AP shoulder radiographs and when narrowed is indicative of subacromial impingementrotator cuff tear and/or tendinopathy. In patients with rotator cuff repair, a narrow acromiohumeral interval is a risk factor for re-tear 7.

The shortest distance is measured. 

  • true AP shoulder radiograph

  • measure from the cortical bone at the inferior aspect of the acromion to the humeral head 3

  • can also be performed on coronal and sagittal oblique T1 MR images

  • inferior aspect of the acromion (marked by black line directly above the humeral head) directly inferiorly to the center of the subchondral cortex of the humeral head 3

Measurements of the acromiohumeral interval in the following intervals are suggestive of pathology 1,2:

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