Calcific shoulder tendinitis: treatment with modified US-guided fine-needle technique.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical response to treatment of calcified tendinitis of the shoulder by using a modified percutaneous ultrasonography (US)-guided fine-needle technique.


METHODS
Thirty shoulders of 30 consecutive patients (23 women, seven men; mean age, 47.4 years) with chronic shoulder pain (average duration, 43.1 months) refractory to medical treatment were treated percutaneously by using a fine needle and US guidance. Patients were prospectively evaluated by using a shoulder pain and disability index consisting of 13 items and divided into two subcategories: pain and disability. The patient completed the questionnaire before the procedure and during the follow-up visit approximately 1 month later. A diagnostic US examination was also performed at that time.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant improvement in the shoulder pain and disability index total score (27.0%) and the pain (30.5%) and disability (23.9%) scores. According to the index, these results indicate a significant clinical response.


CONCLUSIONS
This modified US-guided fine-needle technique for calcified tendinitis of the shoulder appears to be an effective therapy and was less aggressive than previously described percutaneous techniques.
Aina
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R
Department of Radiology, CHUM-Hôpital Saint-Luc, 1058 Saint-Denis, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2X 3J4.
Cardinal
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E
Bureau
N J
NJ
Aubin
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B
Brassard
P
P
D000328:Adult; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012782:Shoulder; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography