Diagnostic value of angled oblique sagittal images of the supraspinatus tendon for the detection of rotator cuff tears on MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to evaluate the added value of sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the supraspinatus tendon by comparison with a standard MRI protocol for the evaluation of the rotator cuff.


METHODS
This retrospective single center study included 100 patients referred for MRI for suspected rotator cuff injuries. Two observers compared sagittal T2-weighted fat-suppressed orthogonal images of the distal portion of the supraspinatus muscle ("cuff" protocol) to those acquired according to the standard MRI protocol, which focuses on the glenoid. The two observers evaluated the appearance of each rotator cuff tendon and indicated whether the "cuff protocol" facilitated interpretation.


RESULTS
The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of lesions ranged from 79 to 97% and 80 to 99% respectively. The interobserver variability coefficient was good for the supraspinatus (k=0.744). The new sequence helped localize and characterize rotator cuff injuries in 24-40% of the cases for the supraspinatus, in particular for partial tears and tendinopathies.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the specific MRI "cuff" protocol focusing on the supraspinatus are good, and helps facilitate interpretation of MRIs of the rotator cuff by non-specialist radiologists, in particular of the supraspinatus muscle.
Service de radiologie, centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Tours, hôpital Trousseau, avenue de la République, 37170 Chambray-lès-Tours, France. Electronic address: etancelin.mathilde@bbox.fr.
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M
Etancelin-Jamet
Service de radiologie, centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Tours, hôpital Trousseau, avenue de la République, 37170 Chambray-lès-Tours, France.
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L
Bouilleau
Service de radiologie, centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Tours, hôpital Trousseau, avenue de la République, 37170 Chambray-lès-Tours, France.
A
A
Martin
Service de radiologie, groupement d'imagerie médicale, centre hospitalier universitaire régional de Tours, hôpital Bretonneau, 2, boulevard Tonnelé, 37044 Tours cedex 9, France.
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P
Bertrand
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
Artifact; MRI; Rotator cuff; Tendons