title: Supraspinatus tendon tears: comparison of US and MR arthrography with surgical correlation.
abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic reliability of US with MR arthrography in diagnosing supraspinatus tendon tears. Surgical findings were used as the gold standard in detecting tears. A total of 44 patients were assessed with transverse and longitudinal US scans with respect to the long axis of the rotator cuff tendons and then examined with MR arthrography. This technique involved free-hand injection of contrast medium into the shoulder joint. At surgery 20 incomplete and 24 complete tears were observed. Ultrasound offered good results for the large tears, but its sensitivity decreased proportionally with the size of the tears. Magnetic resonance arthrography correctly diagnosed 43 tears, whereas only one false-negative diagnosis of tendinosis was made for a partial tear on the bursal side. Since it improves the diagnosis of small tears, MR arthrography must be performed on all patients for whom surgical repair is necessary in order to restore normal functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiologic and Orthopaedic-Rehabilitative Sciences, University Hospital Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy. ferrari@unisi.it
authors.forename: Francesco S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Governi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burresi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vigni
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stefani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000601:surgery; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media