Acute traumatic tears of the rotator cuff: value of sonography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the value of sonography in the evaluation of acute traumatic tears of the rotator cuff.


METHODS
Preoperative sonography was performed within 3 weeks of trauma in 184 patients, 98 of whom underwent surgery. The rotator cuff tears were preoperatively classified as partial-thickness tears or as small, large, or massive full-thickness tears. Sonographic findings were correlated with surgical findings (n = 70) and arthroscopic inspection (n = 28).


RESULTS
Adequate examination was possible in 163 (88%) of 184 patients. Sonography demonstrated 42 (91%) of 46 full-thickness tears and seven (78%) of nine partial-thickness tears. Sonography showed more extensive tears than were found at surgery in four (4%) of 98 patients and less extensive tears in seven (7%) of 98 patients. Sonographic patterns were a defect (31 [63%] of 49 tears), focal thinning (10 [21%] of 49 tears), and nonvisualization (eight [16%] of 49 tears).


CONCLUSIONS
Sonography is useful in the evaluation of acute shoulder trauma when a rotator cuff tear is suspected and findings at plain radiography are negative.
Farin
P U
PU
Department of Clinical Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.
Jaroma
H
H
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D014463:Ultrasonography