title: Rotator cuff tears noncontrast MRI compared to MR arthrography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the accuracy of indirect magnetic resonance arthrography and noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing rotator cuff tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 333 patients who underwent noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging or indirect magnetic resonance arthrography were included retrospectively. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated the images for the presence of supraspinatus-infraspinatus and subscapularis tendon tears. The overall diagnostic performance was calculated using the arthroscopic findings as the reference standard. Statistical differences between the diagnostic performances of the two methods were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-six and 237 patients who underwent noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging and indirect magnetic resonance arthrography were assigned into groups A and B, respectively. Sensitivity for diagnosing articular-surface partial-thickness supraspinatus-infraspinatus tendon tear was slightly higher in group B than in group A. Statistical significance was confirmed by multivariate analysis using the generalized estimating equation (p = 0.046). The specificity for diagnosing subscapularis tendon tear (85% vs. 68%, p = 0.012) and grading accuracy (57% vs. 40%, p = 0.005) was higher in group B than in group A; the differences were statistically significant for one out of two readers. Univariate analysis using the generalized estimating equation showed that the accuracy for diagnosing subscapularis tendon tear in group B was higher than in group A (p = 0.042). There were no statistically significant differences between the diagnostic performances of both methods for any other parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indirect magnetic resonance arthrography may facilitate more accurate diagnosis and grading of subscapularis tendon tears compared with noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea. carrot302@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Ji Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea. youngcheol.yoon@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Young Cheol
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Chungang University Hospital, Chungang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. tasteberry2000@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Jee Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. shoulderyoo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jae Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Indirect MR arthrography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Rotator cuff; Shoulder