Tendon of the long head of the biceps originating from the rotator cuff – An uncommon anatomical variation: case report

Abstract

Anatomical variations at the origin of the biceps tendon have been described by several authors, but occurrences of an origin in the supraspinatus are rare. It is unclear whether this variation might contribute toward pathological conditions of the shoulder. Our objective here was to describe a case of an anatomical variation in the origin of the tendon of the long head of the biceps.The clinical information, preoperative images and arthroscopic images relating to a patient with an aberrant origin of the long head of the biceps, which was observed during shoulder arthroscopy, were reviewed.In this case study, the origin of the biceps was found in the rotator cuff, without any origin from the supraglenoid tubercle or upper labrum. This variant did not seem to contribute toward the pathological condition of the shoulder, and standard treatment for the concomitant condition was sufficient for treating it.

Morphological classification of anatomical variants of the intra-articular portion of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon and analysis of the incidence and the relationship with shoulder disease for each subtype

“…Anatomical variants around the origins are reported to occur with a frequency of 1.9-7.4%, 2,3 and many variations in shape, including complete absence, split or Y-shaped variant, and extracapsular origin of LHB have also been reported. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] However, most of previous studies that have reported such findings only studied a small sample of participants. Only few authors classified or analyzed the variants systematically with a large participants group.…”

“…2,3 Moreover, the relationship between the variants and shoulder joint diseases is controversial. 3,6,[12][13][14][15][16] This study aimed to identify the frequency of variants observed during arthroscopic shoulder surgeries, to classify them based on the Dierickx classification system (Table 1), 2 and to analyze the frequencies, demographic characteristics, and relationship to shoulder disease, including disease of the LHB, for each type of variant.…”

“…2,3 Moreover, the relationship between the variants and shoulder joint diseases is controversial. 3,6,12 –16…”