title: Sonographic differences in the appearance of acute and chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears.
abstract: This study was undertaken to identify differences in the sonographic appearance of acute and chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. The ultrasonograms of 24 patients with an acute rotator cuff tear and 20 with a chronic tear were reviewed for tear size (width), location, and the presence and distribution of fluid. Among these 24 patients, 75% with a midsubstance tear location had an acute tear; 64% of patients with joint or bursal fluid had an acute tear; 80% of patients with a nonvisualized rotator cuff due to a massive tear had a chronic tear; and 73% of patients with no sonographic evidence of bursal or joint fluid had a chronic tear. In conclusion, a midsubstance location and the presence of joint or bursal fluid were more commonly associated with an acute tear. A nonvisualized cuff and the absence of joint and bursal fluid were more commonly observed with a chronic tear.
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teefey
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Hildebolt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography