American Journal of Roentgenology, Vol 158, 347-351, Copyright © 1992 by American Roentgen Ray Society

ARTICLES

Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder: diagnosis with MR imaging

TE Farley, CH Neumann, LS Steinbach, AJ Jahnke and SS Petersen
San Francisco Magnetic Resonance Center, CA 98118.

The purpose of this study was to describe MR findings in full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Of 102 shoulders examined by MR imaging, 31 were found to have a full-thickness tendon tear at arthroscopy/bursoscopy (five shoulders) or open surgery (26 shoulders). All shoulders were imaged in oblique coronal and axial planes. MR images of the 102 shoulders were evaluated for (1) the presence of fluid in the subacromial and subdeltoid bursae; (2) abnormal signal of the supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor tendons; (3) interruption of tendon continuity and thinning of the tendon; and (4) proximal retraction of the junction of the muscle and tendon. The presence or absence of each finding was determined by consensus of two radiologists, who interpreted the images without knowledge of the surgical findings. Results in those 31 shoulders with proved full-thickness tears were: fluid in the subacromial bursae (29 shoulders), interruption of tendinous continuity (22 shoulders), focally increased signal of the tendon equivalent to that of water (27 shoulders), and musculotendinous retraction (24 shoulders). The finding of subacromial fluid was a sensitive indicator (93%) of a full- thickness tear, and interruption of tendinous continuity was a specific finding (96%) in diagnosing a full-thickness tear. Our experience shows interruption of tendon continuity is the most specific MR finding of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, while subacromial fluid is the most common finding.
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. L. Sein, J. Walton, J. Linklater, C. Harris, T. Dugal, R. Appleyard, B. Kirkbride, D. Kuah, and G. A C Murrell Reliability of MRI assessment of supraspinatus tendinopathy Br. J. Sports Med., August 1, 2007; 41(8): e9 - e9. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Farber, L. Fayad, T. Johnson, B. Cascio, M. Shindle, P. Neubauer, and A. J. Khanna Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Shoulder. Current Techniques and Spectrum of Disease J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., December 1, 2006; 88(suppl_4): 64 - 79. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. G. Sanders and M. D. Miller A Systematic Approach to Magnetic Resonance Imaging Interpretation of Sports Medicine Injuries of the Shoulder Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2005; 33(7): 1088 - 1105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Mellado, J. Calmet, M. Olona, C. Esteve, A. Camins, L. Perez del Palomar, J. Gine, and A. Sauri Surgically Repaired Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: MRI of Tendon Integrity, Muscle Fatty Degeneration, and Muscle Atrophy Correlated with Intraoperative and Clinical Findings Am. J. Roentgenol., May 1, 2005; 184(5): 1456 - 1463. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Teefey, D. A. Rubin, W. D. Middleton, C. F. Hildebolt, R. A. Leibold, and K. Yamaguchi Detection and Quantification of Rotator Cuff Tears. Comparison of Ultrasonographic, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Arthroscopic Findings in Seventy-one Consecutive Cases J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., April 1, 2004; 86(4): 708 - 716. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Miniaci, A. T. Mascia, D. C. Salonen, and E. J. Becker Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Shoulder in Asymptomatic Professional Baseball Pitchers Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 2002; 30(1): 66 - 73. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. W. A. Pfirrmann, M. Zanetti, D. Weishaupt, C. Gerber, and J. Hodler Subscapularis Tendon Tears: Detection and Grading at MR Arthrography Radiology, December 1, 1999; 213(3): 709 - 714. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. J. HERZOG Instructional Course Lectures, The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Shoulder*{{dagger}} J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., June 1, 1997; 79(6): 934 - 53. [Full Text]

				C. C. TEITZ, W. E. GARRETT JR., A. MINIACI, M. H. LEE, and R. A. MANN Instructional Course Lectures, The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Tendon Problems in Athletic Individuals*{{dagger}} J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., January 1, 1997; 79(1): 138 - 52. [Full Text]

				A. Miniaci, P. A. Dowdy, K. R. Willits, and A. D. Vellet Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of the Rotator Cuff Tendons in the Asymptomatic Shoulder Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 1995; 23(2): 142 - 145. [Abstract] [PDF]