Expert: Alain Ortiz - 11/6/2007

Question
On a routine chest X-ray, sclerotic lesions on both my humeral head and glenoid of my left shoulder were found, but both the radiologist and my doctor don't know what to think of it. A skeletal series was suggested. I have no pain and no history of injury to that area and I am not athletic. Should I be concerned. Should I get a MRI?

Answer
Most of these things are benign particularly when they involve both sides of the joint, probably related to a primary joint process; remember you don't have any symptoms referable to your shoulder!  If you live close to a major university hospital, I would try to take those X-rays to someone who is trained in musculoskeletal (we also say 'bone') radiology, perhaps that's all you need; I'd try to stay away from any further imaging until you have gotten a specialized opinion on the X-rays.  That's without doubting your doctors, it's just what I would do.