Radiographic diagnosis of rotator cuff tear based on the supraspinatus muscle radiodensity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the supraspinatus muscle radiodensity on the outlet view as an indication of a tendon tear.


METHODS
Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations were obtained on both shoulders of 40 subjects aged 23-70 years, including 13 asymptomatic volunteers and 27 patients. Two readers analyzed the superior contour and the heterogeneity of the supraspinatus muscle radiodensity and compared them with the MRI findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant concordances (P < 0.001) were found between the assessments of the superior contour and the heterogeneity of the muscle radiodensity, respectively, on plain radiographs and MR images. For the diagnosis of a full-thickness tear, the analysis of the superior contour and the heterogeneity of the muscle radiodensity reached an accuracy of 85% and 80% respectively. Stepwise discriminant analyses showed low to moderate benefit of considering the contour and the heterogeneity simultaneously. The inter- and intraobserver agreement ranged from moderate to good. We conclude that on the outlet view, modifications in the superior contour and heterogeneity of the supraspinatus muscle radiodensity suggest a full-thickness tear.
Stallenberg
B
B
Department of Radiology, H pital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Rommens
J
J
Legrand
C
C
de Maertelaer
V
V
Metens
T
T
Alain Gevenois
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012782:Shoulder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology