Vascularity of the supraspinatus tendon three months after repair: characterization using contrast-enhanced ultrasound.
BACKGROUND
There has been limited in-vivo assessment of rotator cuff vascularity following repair. This study aims to characterize the vascularity of the shoulder 3 months following supraspinatus tendon repair.


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients (average age, 61.4 years) underwent Perflutren lipid microsphere contrast-enhanced shoulder ultrasound examinations 3 months after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Each shoulder was scanned at rest and following exercise using linear phased array 9-MHz transducer optimized to detect the contrast agent. Blood flow was quantified off-line using ultrasound imaging quantification and analysis software (QLAB, Philips, Andover, MA). Peak enhancement (vascular volume) and rate of rise (perfusion) were determined for 3 regions of interest: peribursal area, supraspinatus tendon, and anchor site.


RESULTS
Peak enhancement and rate of rise were greatest in the peribursal soft tissue and anchor site. Resting peak enhancement and rate of rise were significantly lower within the tendon compared to the other 2 regions (P < .001). Exercise resulted in increased enhancement and rate-of-rise to all 3 regions, but had a significant predilection towards increasing vascular volume within the peri-bursal region (P = .026).


CONCLUSIONS
At 3 months following repair, the majority of blood flow to the repair is derived from the peribursal soft tissues and the anchor site. The tendon, particularly those with a defect at 3 months, is relatively avascular. Though limited by inclusion of only a single time point, this study introduces a new technique to quantify vascularity following supraspinatus repairs and suggests that the surrounding vascular milieu may play a role in tendon healing.


METHODS
Basic Science.
Gamradt
Seth C
SC
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. sgamradt@mednet.ucla.edu
Gallo
Robert A
RA
Adler
Ronald S
RS
Maderazo
Alex
A
Altchek
David W
DW
Warren
Russell F
RF
Fealy
Stephen
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media