Ultrasonography of symptomatic rotator cuff tears compared with MR imaging and surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the accuracy of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of rotator cuff tears.


METHODS
Ninety-six patients with clinically suspected rotator cuff pathology underwent ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder. The findings in 88 patients were compared with arthroscopy or open surgery.


RESULTS
Full-thickness tear was confirmed in 57 cases, partial-thickness tear in 30 cases and degenerative changes without tear in 1. In all 57 cases of full-thickness tear and in 28 out of 30 cases of partial-thickness tear the supraspinatus tendon was involved. The accuracy in the detection of full-thickness tears was 98 and 100% for ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. The accuracy in the detection of bursal or articular partial-thickness tears was 87 and 90% for ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In experienced hands ultrasonography should be considered as an accurate modality for the initial investigation of rotator cuff, especially supraspinatus, tears.
Fotiadou
Anastasia N
AN
Radiology Department, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Greece. natfot@yahoo.gr
Vlychou
Marianna
M
Papadopoulos
Periklis
P
Karataglis
Dimitrios S
DS
Palladas
Panagiotis
P
Fezoulidis
Ioannis V
IV
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*