Posterior Glenolabral Articular Disruption

The traditional glenolabral articular disruption (GLAD) lesion is described as a lesion along the anterior-inferior aspect of the glenoid. More recently a posterior version of the lesion has been described.

Like its anterior counterpart, the posterior GLAD lesion presents as a defect of the articular cartilage associated with a tear of the labrum. The posterior version, however, is typically found between the 7 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions of the posterior glenoid. The axial T1-weighted, fat saturated image from an MR arthrogram shows the defect involving the posterior labrum and glenoid cartilage posteriorly at the 8 o'clock - nine o'clock position.

It is thought that the posterior GLAD lesion is due to impaction of an internally rotated humerus on the posteroinferior glenoid.

References

• Anderson M, Barr M, Gaskin C, Alford B. Posterior GLAD lesions of the shoulder (scientific presentation). Radiological Society of North America, 2005.
• Harish S, Nagar A, Moro J, Pugh D, Rebello R, O'Neill J. Imaging findings in posterior instability of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol. 2008 Aug;37(8):693-707.