Rotator cuff imaging using bursography coupled to helical computed arthrotomography.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a rotator cuff imaging method with high sensitivity for the detection of partial tears of the superficial surface of the rotator cuff.


METHODS
33 patients with shoulder pain and no conventional arthrography evidence of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were investigated by bursography coupled with helical computed arthrotomography. Nine subsequently underwent surgery or bursoscopy.


RESULTS
Helical computed arthrotomography disclosed an abnormality of the superficial surface of the rotator cuff in 15 patients (45.5%). In the nine patients who had surgery or bursoscopy, findings from this investigation were consistent with those from bursography plus helical computed tomography.


CONCLUSIONS
Bursography coupled with helical computed tomography may be of assistance for the diagnosis of lesions of the superficial cuff surface, which often escape detection by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.
D002061:Bursa, Synovial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*