title: Real-time compound sonography of the rotator-cuff: evaluation of artefact reduction and image definition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare real time compound sonography with conventional sonography in the evaluation of rotator cuff tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was performed on 50 supraspinatus tendons in 101 patients treated by surgical acromioplasty. The surgeon described 33 (66%) full-thickness tears and 17 (34%) partial-thickness tears. All tendons were examined by conventional sonography and real time compound sonography on the day before surgery. The techniques were compared by evaluating the images for freedom from artefacts, contrast resolution and overall image definition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Real time compound sonography proved to be superior to conventional sonography as regards freedom from artefacts in 50 cases out of 50 (100%). It was superior to conventional sonography in evaluating the image contrast resolution in 45 cases out of 50 (90%), and superior to conventional sonography in overall image definition in 45 out of 50 cases (90%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Real-time compound sonography reduces the intrinsic artefacts of conventional sonography and allows better overall image definition. In particular, the digital technique allowed us to study the rotator cuff with better contrast resolution and sharper and more detailed images than did conventional sonography.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Ortopedica e Traumatologica, Policlinico Universitario, Università degli Studi di Udine, Udine, Italy. Alessandro.decandia@med.uniud.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Candia
authors.forename: Stefsano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doratiotto
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paschina
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Segatto
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pelizzo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bazzocchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016880:Anisotropy; D016477:Artifacts; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*