title: [Imaging of the shoulder].
abstract: Except for instability, a variety of causes has been described in the painful shoulder. A thorough clinical examination may help establish the cause of shoulder pain. Even if modern imaging modalities (ultrasonography, computed tomography, MR imaging) allowed a precise diagnostic and therapeutic approach, plain radiographs are still necessary. Performed by an experienced radiologist, ultrasonography may be useful for the assessment of rotator cuff tears which are a common problem. CT arthrography and MR imaging are only recommended in preoperative assessment. In calcific tendinitis plain radiographs provide evidence of calcifications. It is not difficult to establish clinically the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis and arthrography is the only technique to reveal the articular capacity limitation reliably. In degenerative osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, CT arthrography is necessary to assess the rotator cuff changes and lenoid osseus findings before undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Service de radiologie ostéo-articulaire CHRU de Lille.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boutry
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cotten
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed