Arthroscopic evaluation of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of rotator cuff tear.
BACKGROUND
Rotator cuff tear--diagnosis; comparison of MRI, ultrasonographic and arthroscopic findings.


METHODS
Retrospective study--20 patients treated for shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tear, initially conservatively and after more than 6 months by arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Comparison of intraoperative findings with preoperative US and MRI images.


RESULTS
Sensitivity of USG--1.0, specificity 0.9. Sensitivity of MRI--0.92, specificity 1.0.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical examination and physical tests are not fully reliable diagnostic tools in patients with shoulder pain, because symptoms of different conditions overlap. Using ultrasound to visualize the shoulder area has some advantages to other imaging techniques such as CT scan or MRI, and has a very good sensitivity and good specificity. Many authors agree that MRI is one of the most effective methods for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are both very sensitive techniques for diagnosis of rotator cuff abnormalities. Ultrasonography can be used as a primary method owing to its fast procedure and affordable cost.<br />
Frei
Robert
R
II. Orthopedic Department, The Motol University Hospital, 2nd Medical School, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Chládek
Petr
P
Trc
Tomás
T
Kopecný
Zdenek
Z
Kautzner
Jakub
J
D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography