title: Full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears: correlation of findings by arthroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to correlate measurements of the width and retraction of isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with measurements recorded by arthroscopy using a continuous millimetre scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 53 individuals with isolated supraspinatus tears and retraction < 30 mm underwent arthroscopy at our centre. Tear width and retraction measured by arthroscopy (reference standard) and MRI (index test) on a continuous millimetre scale were compared. All measurements were performed by a single radiologist blinded to intra-operative findings and one surgeon who had previous access to MRI results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average tear retraction was 12.60 ± 4.89 mm by arthroscopy and 16.81 ± 6.29 mm by MRI. Those measures exhibited moderate correlation (r = 0.643, p < 0.001) and an average difference of 4.21 mm (p < 0.001). Average tear width was 12.87 ± 4.15 mm by arthroscopy and 14.19 ± 5.20 by MRI. Those measures exhibited moderate correlation (r = 0.526, p < 0.001) and an average difference of 1.32 mm, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.109).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measures of retraction and width obtained by MRI and arthroscopy exhibited moderate correlation in small- or medium-sized supraspinatus tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (USP), Rua Dr. Ovídio Pires de Campos, 333 3rd floor, São Paulo, 05403-010, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Angeli
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Malavolta
authors.forename: Jorge Henrique
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Assunção
authors.forename: Alex Oliveira
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: de Araujo
authors.forename: Carlos Augusto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Seito
authors.forename: Mauro Emilio Conforto
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Gracitelli
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bordalo-Rodrigues
authors.forename: Arnaldo Amado
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ferreira Neto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology*