Glenoid bare spot
Updates to Article Attributes
Glenoid bare spot also known as glenoid bare area is a small central or slightly eccentric area of inferior glenoid fossa, where the articular cartilage is markedly thinner or completely absent 2. It is considered to be a normal aging-related phenomenon 1.
Epidemiology
Glenoid bare spot can be found in as much as 80-88% of adult cadavers 1,3.
It is almost never observed in children younger than 10 years old 4,5 and not at all in fetuses 8. Its incidence seems to increase with age.
Pathology
The etiology of bare area is not fully understood - it was previously speculated that it is an acquired lesion due to repetitive stress 2,4,8. Recently, a developmental origin associated with fusion of glenoid ossification centers has been proposed 5.
Radiographic features
It is a small (2-12mm of range), roughly round area of thinned cartilage that is located in the very center of inferior glenoid fossa 4,7 or slightly anterior to it 3,6. It is best appreciated using fluid-sensitive sequences like T2 FSE in coronal and axial planes.
It should not be accompanied by any pathologic changes of the underlying bony glenoid.
It is considered to be a normal aging-related phenomenon and should not be mistaken for cartilage ulceration or OCD.
See also
Tubercle of Assaki is a similar phenomenon found in the same location as the bare spot.
-<p><strong>Glenoid bare spot</strong> also known as <strong>glenoid bare area</strong> is a small central or slightly eccentric area of inferior glenoid fossa, where the articular cartilage is markedly thinner or completely absent <sup>2</sup>. It is considered to be a normal aging-related phenomenon <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Glenoid bare spot can be found in as much as 80-88% of adult cadavers <sup>1,3</sup>.</p><p>It is almost never observed in children younger than 10 years old <sup>4,5 </sup>and not at all in fetuses <sup>8</sup>. Its incidence seems to increase with age.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The etiology of bare area is not fully understood - it was previously speculated that it is an acquired lesion due to repetitive stress <sup>2,4,8</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>It is a small (2-12mm of range), roughly round area of thinned cartilage that is located in the very center of inferior glenoid fossa <sup>4,7</sup> or slightly anterior to it <sup>3,6</sup>. It is best appreciated using fluid-sensitive sequences like T2 FSE in coronal and axial planes.</p><p>It should not be accompanied by any pathologic changes of the underlying bony glenoid.</p><p>It is considered to be a normal aging-related phenomenon and should not be mistaken for cartilage ulceration or OCD.</p><h4>See also</h4><p><a title="Tubercle of Assaki" href="/articles/tubercle-of-assaki">Tubercle of Assaki</a> is a similar phenomenon found in the same location as the bare spot.</p><p> </p><p> </p>- +<p><strong>Glenoid bare spot</strong> also known as <strong>glenoid bare area</strong> is a small central or slightly eccentric area of inferior glenoid fossa, where the articular cartilage is markedly thinner or completely absent <sup>2</sup>. It is considered to be a normal aging-related phenomenon <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Glenoid bare spot can be found in as much as 80-88% of adult cadavers <sup>1,3</sup>.</p><p>It is almost never observed in children younger than 10 years old <sup>4,5 </sup>and not at all in fetuses <sup>8</sup>. Its incidence seems to increase with age.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The etiology of bare area is not fully understood - it was previously speculated that it is an acquired lesion due to repetitive stress <sup>2,4,8</sup>. Recently, a developmental origin associated with fusion of glenoid ossification centers has been proposed <sup>5</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>It is a small (2-12mm of range), roughly round area of thinned cartilage that is located in the very center of inferior glenoid fossa <sup>4,7</sup> or slightly anterior to it <sup>3,6</sup>. It is best appreciated using fluid-sensitive sequences like T2 FSE in coronal and axial planes.</p><p>It should not be accompanied by any pathologic changes of the underlying bony glenoid.</p><p>It is considered to be a normal aging-related phenomenon and should not be mistaken for cartilage ulceration or OCD.</p><h4>See also</h4><p><a href="/articles/tubercle-of-assaki">Tubercle of Assaki</a> is a similar phenomenon found in the same location as the bare spot.</p><p> </p><p> </p>