title: US of the shoulder: non-rotator cuff disorders.
abstract: The most common indication for shoulder ultrasonography (US) is the diagnosis of rotator cuff disease. However, there is a spectrum of non-rotator cuff abnormalities that are amenable to US examination, including instability of the biceps tendon, glenohumeral joint, and acromioclavicular joint; arthropathies and bursites (inflammatory diseases, degenerative and infiltrative disorders, infections); nerve entrapment syndromes; and space-occupying lesions. Many of these conditions may be overlooked clinically or can even mimic rotator cuff tears, and US can help redirect the diagnosis if a complete shoulder examination rather than a simple rotator cuff assessment is performed. In addition, US can be remarkably helpful in guiding either needle aspiration procedures or local injection therapy in patients with synovial processes. Although radiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and computed tomographic and MR arthrography are effective modalities for the evaluation of non-rotator cuff disorders, US is both less costly and less invasive and will likely be used more frequently in this setting as experience increases. Once adequate radiographs have been obtained to exclude apparent bone disorders, high-resolution US should be the first-line imaging modality in the assessment of non-rotator cuff disorders of the shoulder, assuming the study is performed with high-end equipment by an experienced examiner.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra "R" di Radiologia-DICMI, Università di Genova, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132 Genoa, Italy. martinoli@zeus.newnetworks.it
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martinoli
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prato
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pugliese
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Zamorani
authors.forename: Maura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: Lorenzo E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Derchi
mesh_terms: D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002062:Bursitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography