Intramuscular rotator cuff cysts: association with tendon tears on MRI and arthroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to explore the relationship between intramuscular cysts and rotator cuff tendon tears.


CONCLUSIONS
Intramuscular cysts are strongly associated with rotator cuff tendon tears. Identification of such a cyst should prompt a search for a rotator cuff tear. Findings on MR arthrography and surgery suggest that a delaminating component of the rotator cuff tear may lead to the development of these cysts and may explain the occasional discrepancy between location of tears and location of cysts.
Kassarjian
Ara
A
Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114, USA. akassarjian@partners.org
Torriani
Martin
M
Ouellette
Hugue
H
Palmer
William E
WE
D001182:Arthroscopy; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology