title: Clinical application of radial magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of rotator cuff tear.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance imaging is useful for evaluating the rotator cuff, but some tendinous insertions cannot be assessed using oblique sagittal, oblique coronal, and axial magnetic resonance (MR) images because of the presence of the partial volume effect.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether radial-slice MR images could reveal normal rotator cuff insertions and rotator cuff tears more clearly than conventional MR images.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 18 subjects with normal rotator cuffs and 30 with rotator cuff tears. MR images of rotator cuff insertions sliced into radial, oblique coronal, and axial sections were obtained. The extent to which normal rotator cuff insertions and rotator cuff tears were visualized in each of the three MR images was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The top to posterior portions of the rotator cuff insertions from 0° to 120° could be visualized in the radial MR images. In comparison, the posterior portions of the rotator cuff insertions could not be visualized around 45° in both the oblique coronal and axial MR images.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings demonstrate that radial MR images are superior to the oblique coronal and axial MR images regarding their ability to accurately visualize rotator cuff insertions. Radial MR images also revealed greater detail around 45° in the posterior area of the rotator cuff tears than the oblique coronal and axial MR images. Radial MR images are particularly useful for visualizing clinically important posterosuperior rotator cuff tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III - Diagnostic study.
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Honda
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Morihara
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Arai
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Horii
authors: Department of radiology, Kajiicho medical imaging center, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Ito
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Furukawa
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Kida
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Sukenari
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Ikoma
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Oda
authors: Laboratory of sports and health science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Yamada
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan. Electronic address: fjwr@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Fujiwara
authors: Department of orthopaedics, graduate school of medical science, Kyoto Prefectural university of medicine, Kawaramachi Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, 602-8566 Kyoto, Japan.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kubo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Radial magnetic resonance imaging; Rotator cuff; Shoulder; Tendon injuries