[Focused lithotripsy in the treatment of tendinosis calcarea of the shoulder: results at 2 months and one year].
OBJECTIVE
The authors report their experience with extracorporeal lithotripsy in 30 patients with calcific tendinosis of the rotator cuff.


METHODS
This technique is based upon the utilization of high-energy shockwaves (6000 shocks in 3 sessions Day 1, D8, D30) under continuous ultrasound localization of the lesion (EPOS Ultra1). Calcification were evaluated at plain film, US and CT to characterize their length and features.


RESULTS
Complete or partial resorption of calcifying deposits within 2 months and one year was observed in 27.5% and 25% of cases respectively. Clinical improvement results are encouraging at two months (50%), but reduced at one year (28.5%), consistent with the rate of resorption of calcifications.


CONCLUSIONS
This painful, long, and expensive technique seems to be disappointing in the treatment of the calcific tendinosis.
Sarrat
P
P
Service d'Imagerie Médicale, Fondation Hopital Saint Joseph, 26 bd de Louvain, 13008 Marseille. psarrat@hopital-saint-joseph.fr
Cohen
M
M
Carrasset
S
S
Godde
J
J
Franceschi
J P
JP
Aswad
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D017006:Rotator Cuff; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D013997:Time Factors