Trifurcate Origin of Long Head of Biceps Brachii: A Case Report and Literature Review

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic case reports Vol. 8; no. 4; pp. 70 - 73
• Main Authors: Cutler, Holt S, Tao, Matthew A, O'Brien, Stephen J, Taylor, Samuel A
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2018
• ISSN: 2250-0685
• DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.1166

INTRODUCTIONVariant anatomy of the intra-articular portion of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) is rare, and its clinical significance is poorly understood. However, these variants are encountered with increasing frequency due to increasing use of shoulder arthroscopy. CASE REPORTWe report a case of a trifurcate intra-articular LHBT, a variation which, to our knowledge, has not been previously described. The patient was an adult male presenting with chronic atraumatic shoulder pain that worsened with overhead activity. On arthroscopy, the LHBT was found to have three origins from the (1) supraspinatus tendon, (2) superior labrum, and (3) rotator interval that joined together distally within the biceps tunnel. We believe the split tendon may have caused impingement the biceps tunnel; therefore, the patient was treated with subpectoral tenodesis. He also underwent subacromial decompression and rotator cuff debridement. CONCLUSIONThis case highlights the importance of surgeon and radiologist awareness of split LHBT variant anatomy, such that misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment may be avoided.