Shoulder impingement syndrome: MR findings in 53 shoulders

The shoulder impingement syndrome refers to a condition in which the supraspinatus tendon and subacromial bursa are chronically entrapped between the humeral head inferiorly and either the anterior acromion itself, spurs of the anterior acromion or acromioclavicular joint, or the coracoacromial ligament superiorly. As a result, the space for the bursa and tendon is reduced, and repeated trauma to these structures leads to bursitis and rotator cuff injury. Although pain and limitation of motion are common early findings, the diagnosis is often delayed until a complete tear of the rotator cuff has occurred. In an attempt to determine if MR can be used to depict the abnormalities associated with impingement syndrome (subacromial bursitis, supraspinatus tendinitis, and rotator cuff tear), we reviewed 107 MR scans of painful shoulders. Changes consistent with impingement syndrome were found in 53 patients (50%), 32 of whom underwent subsequent arthrography or surgery. MR was found capable of depicting several soft-tissue and bony abnormalities that have been clinically described in impingement syndrome. In regions of inflammation, we found that the supraspinatus tendon and/or the subacromial bursa were compressed by spurs (25 shoulders), capsular hypertrophy of the acromioclavicular joint (six shoulders), and/or low-lying acromion (14 shoulders). While T1-weighted MR imaging was highly sensitive to abnormalities of the supraspinatus tendon, tendinitis could be differentiated from a small tear of the supraspinatus tendon only with T2-weighted imaging. Large, full-thickness tears, especially if chronic, produced characteristic MR findings on both T1- and T2-weighted images. We conclude that MR can be used to detect several abnormalities associated with the shoulder impingement syndrome.     

Rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic individuals: a clinical and ultrasonographic screening study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonographic examinations of the shoulder of 212 asymptomatic individuals between 18 and 85 years old were performed by a single experienced operator. The prevalence and location of complete rotator cuff tears were evaluated. The clinical assessment was based on the Constant Score. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder was obtained in those patients where US showed rotator cuff pathology. RESULTS: Ultrasound showed a complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon in 6% of 212 patients from 56 to 83 years of age (mean: 67 years). MRI confirmed a complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon in 90%. All patients reported no functional deficits, although strength was significantly lower in the patient group with complete supraspinatus tendon tear (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a higher prevalence in older individuals of rotator cuff tendon tears that cause no pain or decrease in activities of daily living.     

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

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.     

肩袖全层撕裂的MRI表现

目的 总结肩袖全层撕裂的MRI表现。材料与方法 回顾性分析21例肩关节MR造影证实的肩袖全层撕裂的MR图像。结果 21例肩袖全层撕裂均发生在冈上肌腱。在T2W序列上,6例（28．9％）表现为冈上肌腱断裂并断裂端的回缩;12例（57．1％）表现为冈上肌腱变薄或增粗并伴有贯穿冈上肌腱全层的高信号;1例（4．7％）表现为冈上肌腱增厚并未贯穿全层的下表面高信号;2例（9．3％）冈上肌腱的形态和信号未见异常。结论 冈上肌腱的断裂并回缩以及冈上肌腱形态增粗或变细并伴 有贯穿肌腱全层的异常高信号为全层撕裂的主要MRI表现。     

Repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears in professional baseball players

BACKGROUND: Despite the relative frequency of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears seen in baseball players, full-thickness rotator cuff tears in baseball players are uncommon. HYPOTHESIS: Return to competitive baseball is difficult after surgical treatment of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: We evaluated the results of 16 professional baseball players after a mini-open repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Twelve patients were pitchers with injury to their dominant shoulders. Four patients were position players; 2 had injuries involving their dominant shoulders, and 2 had injuries to their nondominant shoulders. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 66.6 months for the pitchers, only 1 player (8%) was able to return to a high competitive level of baseball with no significant shoulder dysfunction after mini-open repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Of the 2 position players with mini-open repairs of the full-thickness rotator cuff tear of their dominant shoulders, 1 was able to return to professional baseball. Of the 2 position players with mini-open repairs of the full-thickness rotator cuff tear of their nondominant shoulders, both were able to return to professional baseball at the same or higher level. CONCLUSION: It is very difficult for a professional baseball pitcher to return to a competitive level of pitching after a full-thickness rotator cuff repair with a mini-open approach.     

MR evaluation of subscapularis tears.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to describe the MR appearance of tears of the subscapularis tendon and compare the usefulness of different imaging planes as well as note the association of subscapularis tears with other rotator cuff tears and biceps tendon dislocations. METHOD: MR studies at 1.5 T over an 8 year interval were retrospectively assessed for the presence of a rotator cuff tear and/or tear of the subscapularis tendon. Images that showed a subscapularis tear were reviewed for the presence of a visible tear separately on the axial, coronal, and sagittal images. The MR studies were also evaluated for associated tears of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscles as well as biceps tendon dislocation and the "naked humerus sign" on coronal images. Last, clinical records and surgical reports were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty-five (2%) of 2,167 rotator cuff tears involved the subscapularis; 27% were partial and 73% were complete tears. Tears were best seen in the sagittal oblique plane. Almost all subscapularis tears were an extension of typical rotator cuff tears: supraspinatus in 35 patients (79%), extending into infraspinatus tears in 25 (56%) and into teres minor tears in 2 patients (4%). Bicipital dislocations were seen in 22 patients (49%), and three complete tears of the biceps (7%) were noted as well. The naked humerus sign was demonstrated in 31 patients (69%). Surgical reports that confirmed the MR findings were available for 15 patients. CONCLUSION: About 2% of rotator cuff tears involve the subscapularis tendon. Most subscapularis tears are extensions of supraspinatus tears and frequently involve the biceps tendon.     

MR assessment of the repaired rotator cuff: prevalence, size, location, and clinical relevance of tendon rerupture

The objectives of this study were to use magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to evaluate the prevalence, size, location, and clinical relevance of tendon rerupture following complete repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT). A total of 78 surgically proven full-thickness rotator cuff tears in 74 patients were retrospectively included in the study. Clinical assessment was performed using the University of California at Los Angeles score. Postoperative MR imaging was evaluated to determine prevalence, size, and location of tendon rerupture. At a mean 48.4 months’ follow-up, 62 shoulders (79.5%) had favorable outcomes and 45 shoulders (57.6%) showed rerupture on MR imaging studies. Reruptures were significantly more prevalent among patients with intermediate-to-bad outcomes (81.3%), with surgically demonstrated two-tendon tears (78.9%) or three-tendon tears (100%), and with preoperative fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus muscle greater than 1 (91.6%). Reruptures were also significantly larger in those subgroups. Complete repair of RCT of all sizes may have favorable outcomes in a significant proportion of patients in spite of a high prevalence of reruptures. Preoperative tear size and degree of muscle fatty degeneration influence the prevalence and rerupture size. After repair of supraspinatus tears, reruptures tend to invade the posterior aspect of the tendon.     

Supraspinatus tendon tears: comparison of 3D US and MR arthrography with surgical correlation

Objective

The objective of the study was to compare the diagnostic reliability of 3D US with MR arthrography in diagnosing supraspinatus tendon tears, with arthroscopic findings used as the standard.

Materials and methods

In a prospective study 50 patients who later underwent arthroscopic surgery of the rotator cuff were examined pre-operatively by 3D US with MR arthrography. The presence or absence of a full- or partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear and the tear size as demonstrated by each imaging and arthroscopy was recorded. The tear size was divided into three grades: small (<1 cm), medium (1-3 cm), and large (>3 cm).

Results

The arthroscopic diagnosis was a full-thickness tear in 40 patients, partial-thickness tears in 5, and intact supraspinatus tendon in 5. 3D US correctly diagnosed 35 out of 40 full-thickness tears and MR arthrography 39 out of 40 full-thickness tears. Regarding partial-thickness tears, 3D US underestimated 2 cases as no tear and overestimated 1 case as a full-thickness tear. MR arthrography underestimated 1 case as a partial-thickness tear and overestimated 2 cases as full-thickness and partial-thickness tears respectively. 3D US and MR arthrography yield a sensitivity for full-thickness tears of 87.5% and 97.5% with specificity of 90.0% and 90.0%. Based on the grading system, 3D US measurements correctly predicted the tear size of 23 (65.7%) of the 35 full-thickness tears and MR arthrography 30 (75.0%) of the 39 full-thickness tears.

Conclusion

Three-dimensional ultrasound seems to be a promising imaging modality comparable to MR arthrography for the assessment of the supraspinatus tendon tears.     

Sonography of the postoperative shoulder

Fifty-three patients with 60 symptomatic shoulders underwent shoulder sonography for recurrent postoperative symptoms after either acromioplasty (10 shoulders) or repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear in addition to acromioplasty (50 shoulders). Because surgery distorts landmarks, an understanding of the surgical procedures and their characteristic sonographic appearances is essential. After acromioplasty, the characteristic sharp margination or the acromion was replaced by a less distinct, irregular surface. After repair of a cuff tear, characteristic sonographic appearances included visualization of a reimplantation trough and loss of the echogenic subdeltoid bursa. When the cuff was intact after surgery, echogenicity was abnormal in all cases (17 shoulders). Sonography accurately diagnosed recurrent cuff tears in all 26 shoulders in which surgical proof was available and confirmed an intact cuff in 10 of 11 cases. In one shoulder, a cuff hematoma was incorrectly interpreted as a full-thickness tear. These findings suggest that sonography is an effective procedure for evaluating a postoperative patient with recurrent shoulder symptoms.     

Coracoid tip position on frontal radiographs of the shoulder: a predictor of common shoulder pathologies?

The coracoacromial arch is a static anterior-superior stabilizer of the humeral head. Thus coracoacromial arch inclination, which varies depending on coracoid tip position, may be related to shoulder pathologies. Therefore, we retrospectively analysed coracoid tip positions in the true anterior posterior view of different shoulder pathologies: reference shoulders (n=27), shoulders with rotator cuff tear (supraspinatus tear n=29; subscapularis tear n=21) and shoulders with anterior glenohumeral instability (traumatic n=17; atraumatic n=14). In supraspinatus tear shoulders, the coracoid tip projected onto inferior glenoid half in 86% of cases (type I coracoid), extending more inferiorly compared with reference group (p=0.0002) or subscapularis tear shoulders (p<0.0001). In contrast, 78% of cases with subscapularis tear show the coracoid tip projected onto the superior glenoid half (type II coracoid). Atraumatic glenohumeral instabilities had a more superior coracoid tip position than traumatic instabilities (p=0.04), but no differences were observed on basis of coracoid type or in comparison with normal controls. We conclude that coracoid tip position is highly variable. Since type I coracoids are predominant in shoulders with supraspinatus tears and type II coracoids in shoulders with subscapularis tears, coracoid tip position may thus provide a simple diagnostic complement for a probable site of rotator cuff tears.     

Greater tuberosity notch: an important indicator of articular-side partial rotator cuff tears in the shoulders of throwing athletes.

We examined the location of rotator cuff tears, associated labral injuries, and notches on the greater tuberosity of the humeral head in shoulders of throwing athletes. Arthroscopic findings (rotator cuff tear, labral condition, and greater tuberosity notch) as well as other factors (duration of playing baseball, range of motion, and joint laxity) of 61 baseball players were retrospectively studied. The presence of a greater tuberosity notch was also evaluated for by plain radiographs. Forty patients had articular-side partial rotator cuff tears, most of which occurred in the interval between the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. The existence of a rotator cuff tear was not related to the range of motion, joint laxity, the detachment of the superior glenoid labrum, or posterosuperior labral injury. Greater tuberosity notches were recognized in 38 shoulders by arthroscopy and most were detected on plain radiographs. The presence of a notch was significantly related to the existence of a rotator cuff tear, while the size of the notch was significantly related to the depth and width of the tear. The greater tuberosity notch seems to be one of the most important diagnostic indicators for a rotator cuff tear in throwing athletes.     

Trabecular microstructure and surface changes in the greater tuberosity in rotator cuff tears

OBJECTIVE: When planning surgery in patients with rotator cuff tear, strength of bone at the tendon insertion and trabecular bone structure in the greater tuberosity are usually taken into consideration. We investigated radiographic changes in bone structure of the greater tuberosity in rotator cuff tears. DESIGN: Twenty-two human cadaveric shoulders from subjects ranging from 55 to 75 years of age were obtained. The integrity of the rotator cuff was examined by sonography to determine if it is intact without any tear, or torn partially or completely. The humeral head was sectioned in 3 mm thick coronal slab sections and microradiographed. After digitization of the microradiographs and imaging processing with in-house semi-automated image processing software tools developed using software interfaces on a Sun workstation, the trabecular histomorphometrical structural parameters and connectivity in the greater tuberosity were quantified. The degenerative changes on the surface of the greater tuberosity were interpreted blindly by 2 independent readers. RESULTS: Among the 22 shoulder specimens, the rotator cuff was found intact in 10 shoulders, partially in 7 and fully torn in 5. Statistically significant loss in apparent trabecular bone volume fraction, number of trabecular nodes, and number of trabecular branches, and a statistically significant increase in apparent trabecular separation and number of trabecular free ends were found in the greater tuberosity of the shoulders with tears. The loss was greater in association with full tear than in partial tear. Thickening of the cortical margin of the enthesis, irregularity of its surface, and calcification beyond the tidemark were observed in 2 (20%) shoulders with intact rotator cuff, in 6 (86%) shoulders with partial tear, and in 5 (100%) shoulders with full tear. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff tears are associated with degenerative changes on the bone surface and with disuse osteopenia of the greater tuberosity. Aging, degenerative enthesopathy of the supraspinatus tendon, and rotator cuff tears appear closely related.     

Humeral head cysts and rotator cuff tears: an MR arthrographic study

Objective Humeral tuberosity cysts are a common finding, with previous reports suggesting they are related to rotator cuff tear or aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of cysts in the tuberosities of the humeral head and their relationship with rotator cuff tear and age.Design and patients Shoulder MR arthrograms were reviewed in 120 consecutive patients—83 males (mean age 38.0, range 19–59 years) and 37 females (mean age 41.2, range 15–59 years). Patients were referred for investigation of a variety of conditions, and instability was suspected in only a minority of cases. MR was performed before and after direct arthrography with 0.01% solution of gadolinium. Cysts were defined as well-demarcated circular/ovoid foci in two planes that demonstrated high signal on pre-arthrographic T2W sequences. Location, size and numbers of cysts and post-arthrographic enhancement were documented, along with the location of rotator cuff tears, if present.Results Cysts in the tuberosities of the humerus were identified in 84 patients (70%), and were seen seven times more frequently in the posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity than anteriorly. Most cysts (94%) demonstrated communication with the joint post-arthrogram. Rotator cuff tears were present in 36 patients, and 79% of all tears occurred in supraspinatus tendon. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of cysts between patients older or younger than age 40 or between genders, but rotator cuff tears were seen significantly more often in the older age group (p<0.01). Tuberosity cysts and rotator cuff tears did not appear to be related (p=0.55). However, whilst this lack of association was quite obvious posteriorly (p=0.84), the trend in the anterior aspect of the greater tuberosity is not as clear (p=0.14).Conclusions Humeral cysts are most often located in the posterior aspect of the greater tuberosity, communicate with the joint space and, in this location, are not related to aging or rotator cuff tear.An erratum to this article can be found at     

The relationship of glenoid and humeral version with supraspinatus tendon tears

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of glenohumeral anatomic measurements on MR imaging with supraspinatus tendon tears. The study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was obtained from each subject. Forty-two patients (mean age 55.5 years; age range 40–73 years) with supraspinatus tendon tears and 50 asymptomatic shoulders of 32 controls (mean age 43 years; age range 17–69 years) without rotator cuff tears were included. The acromio-glenoid and supraspinatus-glenoid angles were measured on coronal images, the glenoid and humeral head version as well as the bicipital-humeral distance on axial images. Significant differences were found between the patients and controls for both glenoid version and bicipital-humeral distance, which are considered to influence the distribution of forces placed on the cuff (p < 0.05). The patients had a decreased glenoid version by an average of 2.3° (−7.1 ± 7.8° vs. −4.8 ± 5.6°), and a decreased bicipital-humeral distance by an average of 2.7 mm (12.1 ± 3.7 mm vs. 14.8 ± 4.1 mm). No significant differences were found between these groups for humeral head version and the acromio-glenoid and supraspinatus-glenoid angles, which might contribute to extrinsic impingement by narrowing the supraspinatus tendon outlet. Differences in glenoid and humeral version may be responsible for RC tears by changing the orientation of the rotator cuff and thus increasing shearing stress.     

Rotator cuff tears in middle-aged tennis players: results of surgical treatment

BACKGROUND: Tennis players, like participants in other overhead sports, are vulnerable to rotator cuff tears. In players who continue to play into their middle-age years, the incidence of such injury increases. HYPOTHESIS: Surgical treatment of rotator cuff tears in middle-aged tennis players is largely successful in allowing return to tennis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: We evaluated the results of surgical treatment of 51 middle-aged tennis players (average age, 51 years) with a rotator cuff tear in their dominant shoulder. Tennis participation among the group had averaged 3.5 hours per week for an average of 25 years. Forty-two patients underwent open repair of the tear with or without biceps tenodesis, whereas 9 patients underwent arthroscopic debridement of the tear with or without a biceps tenotomy. Patients were reviewed at an average of 57 months after surgery with an activities score, a subjective questionnaire, and a questionnaire regarding their postoperative participation in tennis. RESULTS: The activities score averaged 26.6 of 30 possible points. Forty-seven patients were satisfied with their result, and 40 patients were able to return to tennis at an average of 9.8 months after surgery. No difference was found in the ability to return to tennis between the open repair group and the arthroscopic debridement group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that it is possible for nearly 80% of middle-aged tennis players to return to participation after operative treatment of rotator cuff tears.     

Transosseous arthroscopic repair of partial articular-surface supraspinatus tendon tears

Partial articular-surface tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesions of the supraspinatus muscle represent a common cause for shoulder impairment and a preceding pathology for full-thickness tendon tears. Arthroscopic tendon repair is a possible surgical method of treatment. The purposes of cuff repair are anatomical tendon healing, prevention of tear size progression to completion and reduction of shoulder pain. In this report, we describe a transtendon arthroscopic technique of transosseous refixation of articular-side partial tears leaving the bursal layer of the supraspinatus tendon intact. A curved hollow needle is used to perform an all arthroscopic transosseous mattress suture. Thus, anatomical tendon-to-bone contact of the rotator cuff to the footprint is restored. Preliminary clinical results of 16 patients are convincing with significant pain relief and functional improvement.     

Repair of rotator cuff tears in tennis players.

Twenty-three tennis players with a symptomatic full-thickness rotator cuff tear underwent anterior acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair. There were 8 small tears (less than 1 cm), 5 moderate tears (1 to 3 cm), 2 large tears (3 to 5 cm), and 8 massive tears (greater than 5 cm). The dominant shoulder was involved in all patients and all were unable to play tennis before surgery. Eleven patients experienced a traumatic event that caused an injury, 6 while playing tennis, and 12 patients had a gradual onset of symptoms. At average follow-up of 42 months, 19 patients (83%) achieved a good result, were pain-free, and were able to play tennis at their presymptomatic competitive level. Three patients (13%), all with massive tears, had a satisfactory result and were able to play tennis, although at a lower competitive level secondary to weakness. One patient (4%), who also had a massive tear, had an unsatisfactory result and was unable to play tennis.     

Echo-guided percutaneous treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis of the shoulder

PURPOSE: We report on our personal technique and the results of US-guided percutaneous treatment of chronic calcific tendinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: January 1997 to March 1999, seventy patients with known chronic calcific supraspinatus tendinitis were submitted to the US-guided treatment. All patients had undergone plain radiography, US, and physical and psychiatric examination. Plain radiography and aspiration biopsy demonstrated hard and radiopaque calcification in 59 patients and soft and faintly milky calcification in 11 cases; calcification diameter ranged 6-30 mm. US showed tendon thickening, with bulging of the outer tendon surface; 10 patients also had moderate dilatation of the subacromial bursa. Psychiatric examination revealed chronic pain exacerbated at night, which was always associated with motion impairment. The selection criteria for treatment were calcification diameter > 6 mm, integrity of the tendon, and chronic pain. After superficial planes were anesthetized, a 16 G needle was positioned inside the calcification under US guidance and the calcific deposits were fragmented and aspirated. Then, 0.5-1 mL triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg) was injected in the soft tissues or subacromial bursa. RESULTS: Pain resolution and recovery of the full range of motion were seen in 42 patients (60%), and mild functional impairment was seen in 7 cases (10%), while 2 patients (2%) were unchanged. Post-treatment plain radiography showed calcification disappearance in 41 patients (58.5%) and debulking in 29 (41.5%); the calcifications were significantly debulked (> 60%) in 27 patients (38.5%). However, calcification diameter was substantially unchanged in 2 patients (3%) and there remained tendon bulging; in these patients clinical symptoms did not improve. No rotator cuff tears or new tendon calcifications were found in any of our patients even at 19-28 months' follow-up. DISCUSSION: The US-guided technique always allowed easy location of calcific deposits and complete aspiration of all soft calcifications. Splintering of hard calcifications helped migration of residual deposits to vascularized soft tissues, which accelerated the--frequently complete--resorption process. We privileged extensive and prolonged fragmentation of the calcifications using a single needle, versus the technique using a second needle, saline lavage and aspiration of residual deposits. CONCLUSION: US-guided percutaneous treatment with aspiration and splintering of chronic calcific supraspinatus tendinitis is a conservative, simple, well-tolerated procedure which can be considered the method of choice after the failure of medical treatment.     

Coexistence of calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tear: an arthrographic study

A prospective evaluation of the coexistence of calcific tendinitis and tear of the rotator cuff demonstrated by arthrography was made in patients presenting with shoulder pain. Patients were X-rayed using conventional views and impingement views. Eighty-one patients (mean age 61.2 years) with calcific tendinitis underwent arthrography. Arthrography showed 22 partial or complete tears of the rotator cuff. A small rather than a large amount of calcification was more likely to be associated with a rotator cuff tear (p = 0.005). The coexistence of calcific tendinitis with rotator cuff tear is not uncommon, especially in older age groups.