mrimaster

MRI Shoulder ABER (Abduction and External Rotation) view

What is ABER View?

The ABER (Abduction and External Rotation) view in MRI is a specialized imaging sequence used primarily in shoulder MR arthrography to evaluate the glenohumeral joint and surrounding structures under stress. In this position, the patient’s arm is abducted (moved away from the body) and externally rotated, mimicking the “cocking” phase of a throwing motion, which places stress on certain structures in the shoulder.

The ABER view is particularly useful for visualizing:

  • Glenoid labrum (especially the anteroinferior labrum).
  • Supraspinatus tendon (undersurface and articular side).
  • Inferior glenohumeral ligament (anterior band).

By positioning the shoulder in this manner, the ABER sequence helps reveal conditions that might not be visible in a neutral position, such as labral tears, rotator cuff tears, or capsular injuries. The view stresses the anterior and inferior structures of the shoulder joint, making it highly valuable in assessing conditions like SLAP tears, Bankart lesions, or rotator cuff pathologies.

Indications for shoulder MRI scan

Contraindications

Patient preparation for shoulder MRI

Positioning for shoulder MRI

ABER (ABduction and External Rotation) MRI view positioning

Recommended MRI ABER view positioning Protocols, Parameters, and Planning

localiser

A three-plane localizer must be taken at the beginning to localize and plan the sequences. Typically, localizers take less than 25 seconds and utilize T1 weighted low-resolution scans for this purpose. 

ABER (ABduction and External Rotation) MRI view localiser image

localiser axial oblique

Plan the axial oblique localizer scan on the coronal plane and align the positioning block parallel to the humerus. Verify the positioning block in the other two planes. In the sagittal plane, use an angle perpendicular to the humeral head or scapula blade, and in the axial plane, ensure it is parallel to the glenoid labrum.

localiser sagittal oblique

Plan the sagittal oblique localizer scan on the coronal plane and align the positioning block perpendicular to the humeral head. Check the positioning block in the other two planes as well. In the axial oblique plane, adjust the angle to be perpendicular to the humeral head or scapula blade, and in the axial plane, make sure it is parallel to the glenoid labrum.

ABER (ABduction and External Rotation) MRI view sagittal localiser planning

T1 tse SPAIR coronal oblique 3mm SFOV

Plan the coronal oblique slices on the sagittal plane, and align the positioning block parallel to the supraspinatus tendon and the anterior-inferior aspect of the glenoid labrum. Check the positioning block’s alignment in the other two planes. Set the angle in the axial oblique plane to be parallel with the humeral head. Ensure that the slices encompass the entire shoulder joint, from the anterior to the posterior.

Parameters

TR

600-700

TE

15-25

SLICE

3 MM

FAT SAT

SPAIR

PHASE

A>P

MATRIX

256X256

FOV

130-160

GAP

10%

NEX(AVRAGE)

2