Buford complex
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Gaillard F, Knipe H, Behnke N, et al. Buford complex. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 15 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-1024
rID:
1024
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Henry Knipe had the following disclosures:
- Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (past)
These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Revisions:
22 times, by
13 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Synonyms:
- Buford complexes
Buford complex is a congenital glenoid labrum variant that predisposes to SLAP tears.
On this page:
Epidemiology
A Buford complex is present in ~3% (range 1.5-5%) of individuals 2,6,7.
Gross anatomy
A Buford complex occurs when the anterosuperior labrum is absent in the 1-3 o'clock position and the middle glenohumeral ligament is thickened (cord-like). It originates directly from the superior labrum adjacent to the bicipitolabral complex and inserts onto the articular surface of the subscapularis tendon.
History and etymology
The Buford complex was first described by Don Buford Jr (fl. 2018) an American orthopedic surgeon in 1994 4.
Differential diagnosis
A Buford complex should not be mistaken for a superior labral tear or sublabral foramen ref.
Related pathology
increased frequency of SLAP lesions in patients with a Buford complex 6,7
no association with glenohumeral instability 7
References
- 1. Beltran J, Rosenberg Z, Chandnani V, Cuomo F, Beltran S, Rokito A. Glenohumeral Instability: Evaluation with MR Arthrography. Radiographics. 1997;17(3):657-73. doi:10.1148/radiographics.17.3.9153704 - Pubmed
- 2. De Maeseneer M, Van Roy F, Lenchik L et al. CT and MR Arthrography of the Normal and Pathologic Anterosuperior Labrum and Labral-Bicipital Complex. Radiographics. 2000;20 Spec No(suppl_1):S67-81. doi:10.1148/radiographics.20.suppl_1.g00oc03s67 - Pubmed
- 3. Beltran J, Bencardino J, Mellado J, Rosenberg Z, Irish R. MR Arthrography of the Shoulder: Variants and Pitfalls. Radiographics. 1997;17(6):1403-12; discussion 1412-5. doi:10.1148/radiographics.17.6.9397454 - Pubmed
- 4. Williams M, Snyder S, Buford D. The Buford Complex--The "Cord-Like" Middle Glenohumeral Ligament and Absent Anterosuperior Labrum Complex: A Normal Anatomic Capsulolabral Variant. Arthroscopy. 1994;10(3):241-7. doi:10.1016/s0749-8063(05)80105-7 - Pubmed
- 5. Palmer W, Bancroft L, Bonar F et al. Glossary of Terms for Musculoskeletal Radiology. Skeletal Radiol. 2020;49(Suppl 1):1-33. doi:10.1007/s00256-020-03465-1 - Pubmed
- 6. Lee B, Kim Y, Won S et al. Isolated Tear of the Cord-Like Middle Glenohumeral Ligament in Buford Complex: A Case Report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(45):e8604. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000008604 - Pubmed
- 7. Özer M, Kaptan A, Ataoglu M et al. The Buford Complex: Prevalence and Relationship with Labral Pathologies. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2021;30(6):1356-61. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2020.08.037 - Pubmed
Incoming Links
Articles:
Cases:
- Concealed interstitial delamination and Buford complex
- Buford complex
- Buford complex (MR arthrogram)
- Glenolabral articular disruption (GLAD lesion) with Buford complex and supraspinatus tear
- Buford complex
- Split biceps brachii tendon and Buford complex
- Glenoid labral variant
- Buford complex
- Buford complex
- Buford complex
- Buford complex
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