Rotator cuff lesions: evaluation with RM and US

Physical and instrumental examination of the patients with an "aching shoulder" is often difficult and a positive out-come of surgical treatment may be impaired by the late diagnosis of long-standing rotator cuff lesions causing tendon adhesions and muscle atrophy. The authors report the results obtained in 25 selected patients with an aching shoulder examined with arthrography, real-time ultrasound (US) with a 5 MHz linear probe, and high-field (1.5 T) Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. Arthrography was able to demonstrate a cuff tear in 14/25 cases; US detected signs of tear in 14/25 (1 false negative); MR imaging showed a cuff lesion in 16/25 patients, and in one case allowed a partial cuff tear to be demonstrated, which had not been visualized with arthrography. MR imaging could also demonstrate other signs of periarticular pathologies (tendinitis, longhead of biceps inflammation, and bursitis) that may represent the early stages of the inflammatory-degenerative process underlying most of cuff lesions. The high diagnostic accuracy of US (95%) is stressed in the detection of cuff tears, in patients with an aching shoulder; as for questionable cases at US, MR imaging is indicated as a valid alternative to arthrography, which is more invasive and less accepted by the patients.     

Comparative arthrographic and echographic study of degenerative lesions of the rotator cuff of the shoulder

Sonography is a simple technique which is currently employed in the study of rotator cuff lesions in the shoulder. A comparative US and arthrographic study was carried out on 52 patients with a "painful shoulder", to evaluate US yield in this pathologic condition. Arthrography was positive for a rotator cuff lesion in 31/52 cases (25 full-thickness and 6 incomplete lesions) and demonstrated associated conditions (capsulitis, chondral lesions, lesions of the long head of biceps, capsulo-ligamentous hypotonia, effusions) in 11 case. Arthrographic findings were negative in 10 cases. US demonstrated a lesion in 25/31 of positive arthrographic cases, and it was negative in 3/6 incomplete lesions. In 7/11 patients US yielded additional information as to associated conditions. US false-positives were 3/10, while in the extant 7/10 cases US was negative too. Thanks to its high sensitivity and specificity (80% and 70%, respectively, in our series), US appears as a valuable diagnostic complement to arthrography; the former may even replace the latter in those cases where conservative treatment is expected.     

Ultrasonics of the shoulder. Diagnostic possibilities in lesions of the rotator cuff

Twenty five healthy people and 25 patients with shoulder pain underwent US control over a 12-month period: 24 patients with shoulder pain had rotator cuff and/or biceps tendon lesions. The US findings on rotator cuff and biceps tendon lesions are compared with those of arthrography and/or surgery (96% sensitivity). US is rapid, safe, non invasive, inexpensive and often more accurate, and its use is recommended for the routine examination of the shoulder joint instead of arthrography.     

Painful poststroke shoulder: Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and high frequency ultrasonography

Background

The use of high frequency ultrasound has been increased in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal abnormalities.

Aim

To detect the structural abnormalities in patient with poststroke painful shoulder as a first objective, and the second objective to assess the diagnostic accuracy of US in detecting these abnormalities.

Patients and methods

The study included 106 patients (62 men; mean age, 57 ± 13 years) with shoulder pain after 1st attack of stroke, the patients examined separately by two radiologists, within three months of stroke development with ultrasound and MRI which was done in the same day or as maximum as three days after US examination, the images were reviewed for any abnormalities in rotator cuff, biceps tears, tendinopathies and atrophy, subacromial bursa fluid, and acromioclavicular capsular hypertrophy. MRI results were considered as gold slandered. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values kappa coefficients of the US in comparison with that of the MRI were measured.

Results

Different structural abnormalities detected in our patients and the agreement between ultrasound and magnetic resonance image in detecting these pathologies was good for rotator cuff tear, subacromial bursitis and glenohumeral effusion and very good for biceps tendon pathology, and it was poor for rotator cuff atrophy, ultrasound shows higher sensitivity (90.9%) in detecting full thickness tear of rotator cuff more than partial tear (80%) and with (98.6%) and (97.5%) specificity respectively. The sensitivity for both technique ranging from 90.9% for full thickness tear of rotator cuff to 64.3% for rotator cuff atrophy and the specificity between 98.9% and 97.1%.

Conclusion

high frequency ultrasound provide a high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing poststoke shoulder pain and it was non expensive and less time-consuming, suitable as screening patients who are obese, have contraindication to MRI examination, allergy to contrast medium, or claustrophobic, and it can be done at bed side in critical patients.     

Diagnosis of rotator cuff lesions: comparison of US and MRI on 38 joint specimens

An experimental study was performed on cadaveric joint specimens of the shoulder to determine the accuracy of US and MRI in diagnosis of abnormalities of the rotator cuff. The value of different morphological criteria was evaluated for discrimination of degeneration as well as partial and complete disruption. A total of 38 surgically exposed specimens of the shoulder joint were examined by US, MRI and pathological methods visualising the tendons of the rotator cuff in same axial and longitudinal orientations. The three imaging modalities were reviewed separately by experienced examiners, respectively, who were blind to other results. Evaluation criteria consisted of signs of shape (thinning, thickening, discontinuity and absence of rotator cuff) and structure (changes in echogenicity in US, increased signal intensity in MRI, tissue changes in pathology). Findings in US and MRI were finally compared with pathology to assess sensitivity and specificity. Pathology demonstrated 4 full-thickness tears, 6 partial-thickness tears, 16 cases with degeneration and 12 normal rotator cuffs. Ultrasound showed pathological signs in all abnormal cuffs, and one MRI report was false negative. Specificity was 67 % in US (4 of 12 cases were false positive) and 100 % in MRI (no abnormal findings in healthy tendons). Discrimination of different pathological disorders of the rotator cuff was reduced in both methods. Using US only 10 of 16 cases of degeneration, 2 of 6 partial tears and 3 of 4 complete tears were correctly defined. Using MRI 13 of 16 degenerations, 3 of 6 partial tears and 3 of 4 complete tears were detected. The MRI technique failed to visualise intratendinous calcifications in all 3 cases. We conclude that MRI and US are both sensitive in detection of abnormalities of the rotator cuff. Ultrasound should be the primary diagnostic method in screening of shoulder pain because it is economic and fast. The MRI technique should be used secondary because it provides more information about extent of tendons and has lower risk of artefacts. Received 15 April 1996; Revision received 29 July 1996; Accepted 31 July 1996     

Limited sensitivity of ultrasound for the detection of rotator cuff tears

Bilateral rotator cuff sonography was performed on 56 patients referred for shoulder arthrography to detect rotator cuff tears. Since one patient had bilateral arthrography there were 57 arthrograms. Twenty-seven shoulders had rotator cuff tears shown on arthrography, 15 of which were detected by sonography. Eleven were false negative by sonography, and one was indeterminate. Of the 30 shoulders with negative arthrograms, 28 had normal sonograms and two were false positive. Sensitivity was 58%, specificity was 93% and overall accuracy was 77%. The positive and negative predictive values were 88% and 72%. These results suggest that sonography has limited value in screening patients for rotator cuff tears and that a positive sonographic reading is more reliable than a negative one. Theories relating to the variable anatomic configuration of a tear are postulated to explain these results, which differ from those previously reported.     

US of the shoulder: non-rotator cuff disorders.

The most common indication for shoulder ultrasonography (US) is the diagnosis of rotator cuff disease. However, there is a spectrum of non-rotator cuff abnormalities that are amenable to US examination, including instability of the biceps tendon, glenohumeral joint, and acromioclavicular joint; arthropathies and bursites (inflammatory diseases, degenerative and infiltrative disorders, infections); nerve entrapment syndromes; and space-occupying lesions. Many of these conditions may be overlooked clinically or can even mimic rotator cuff tears, and US can help redirect the diagnosis if a complete shoulder examination rather than a simple rotator cuff assessment is performed. In addition, US can be remarkably helpful in guiding either needle aspiration procedures or local injection therapy in patients with synovial processes. Although radiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and computed tomographic and MR arthrography are effective modalities for the evaluation of non-rotator cuff disorders, US is both less costly and less invasive and will likely be used more frequently in this setting as experience increases. Once adequate radiographs have been obtained to exclude apparent bone disorders, high-resolution US should be the first-line imaging modality in the assessment of non-rotator cuff disorders of the shoulder, assuming the study is performed with high-end equipment by an experienced examiner.     

Arthrography of the biceps tendon

The purpose of this study was to analyse the factors having an influence on the arthrographic imaging of the biceps tendon. The study comprised 174 patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain. They underwent conventional shoulder arthrography with sodium meglumine metrizoate or metrizamide as a contrast medium. In the patients with a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff, the biceps tendon sheath failed to fill with contrast medium more often than in those with an intact tendinous cuff. Metrizamide filled the biceps tendon sheath more readily than sodium meglumine metrizoate in patients with a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff. The volume of the contrast medium injected had no influence on the imaging of the biceps tendon.     

Recurrence of ovarian and uterine neoplasms: diagnosis with transrectal US

Twenty-one patients with clinically suspected recurrence of ovarian (n = 3) or uterine (n = 18) carcinoma were examined with suprapubic ultrasound (US) and transrectal US with high-frequency linear probes. The examinations were performed 3, 6, 9, and 15 months after surgery and radiation therapy. Eight patients underwent radiation therapy before surgery and ten after surgery; three underwent only surgery. Criteria for recurrence included increased anteroposterior diameter of the vaginal cuff (greater than 2.2 cm); structural alterations or presence of a mass in the vaginal cuff; and infiltration of the rectovaginal septum, bladder, and parametria. Transrectal US findings were true positive for recurrence in nine cases, true negative in ten, and false positive in two. US findings were true positive in three cases, true negative in seven, false positive in two, and false negative in three. In six cases results from US were technically poor, and no diagnosis could be made. Transrectal US was highly sensitive in detection of pelvic recurrent carcinomas, while US had little diagnostic value. The authors believe transrectal US can replace US in the evaluation of patients at risk for recurrent pelvic neoplasm.     

肩关节疼痛的MRI检查价值评估

目的评价MRI检查对肩关节疼痛疾病诊断的应用价值。方法分析34例肩关节疼痛患者的MRI表现,并与手术所见相对比,评估MRI对疾病诊断的准确性。结果34例患者肩关节磁共振成像扫描发现:肩袖完全撕裂、肩袖部分撕裂、肌腱炎、盂唇撕裂、滑膜炎、关节积液、肱二头肌长头腱鞘炎及肌腱脱位、肿瘤等。13例手术,其中1例MRI诊断为肌腱炎,手术结果为肩袖浅表部分撕裂;1例MRI表现正常,关节镜发现肱二头肌长头肌腱炎,其余11例手术所见与MRI表现基本一致,另21例经保守治疗,症状消失或好转。结论肩关节MRI能清晰显示出肩关节的复杂解剖结构,对慢性肩关节疼痛的病因诊断有较高的准确性,是一项有价值的检查方法。     

The proximal biceps as a pain generator and results of tenotomy

Many palliative interventions have been proposed for patients in whom rotator cuff repair is not feasible as a result of advanced fatty infiltration, definitive loss of tendons, and proximal humeral migration. The long head of the biceps tendon has been proposed as a source of pain in patients with rotator cuff tears. This article presents a review of current concepts on the rationale for arthroscopic biceps tenotomy or tenodesis, and evaluates the objective, subjective, and radiographic results of these palliative procedures. On the basis of different studies, it seems that isolated arthroscopic biceps tenotomy or tenodesis is a valuable option for the treatment of rotator cuff tears in selected patients. Although it does not improve shoulder strength, tenotomy or tenodesis reduces pain and improves the functional range of motion with a high degree of patient satisfaction. However, the progressive radiographic changes that occur with long standing rotator cuff tears are not altered.     

MRI在肩关节疼痛疾病诊断中的应用

目的：探讨MRI在肩关节疼痛疾病诊断和鉴别诊断中的应用价值。材料和方法：对28例28侧肩关节疼痛患者，使用0．5T的MR仪行肩关节磁共振检查，分析MRI表现的形态学特点。结果：28例肩关节MRI扫描发现：肩袖完全撕裂、肩袖部分撕裂、肌腱炎、肩袖钙化、肩锁关节积液、肱二头肌腱长头腱鞘炎、肌膜脱位等。6例经手术证实，22例行保守治疗。结论：MRI由于其多平面成像的能力和优良的软组织对比，能详细显示肩关节的解剖结构，敏感地发现软组织异常，对肩关节疼痛的诊断和鉴别诊断有较高的应用价值。     

Physical examination for partial tears of the biceps tendon

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of the physical examination for tears of the long head of the biceps remains controversial. PURPOSE: The goals were 1) to characterize the occurrence of partial tears of the long head of the biceps tendon in a group of consecutive patients, and 2) to analyze the diagnostic value of various clinical tests for pathologic lesions of the proximal biceps tendon. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Of 847 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic procedures for a variety of shoulder conditions, 40 were found at the time of arthroscopy to have partial biceps tendon tears. The average age of these 24 men and 16 women was 59 years (range, 18-83). Preoperative physical examinations had included 9 commonly used tests for shoulder examination. Statistical analysis included sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and likelihood ratios for these tests. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of partial tears was 5% (40/847) of all arthroscopic procedures. The most commonly associated conditions included rotator cuff tears (85% [34/40]) and anterior instability (7.5% [3/40]). Tenderness on palpation of the long head of the biceps tendon had a sensitivity of 53%, a specificity of 54%, and a likelihood ratio of 1.13. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios for Speed's test were 50%, 67%, 8%, 96%, and 1.51, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with rotator cuff abnormality, the diagnosis of partial biceps tears cannot be made reliably with existing physical examination tests. Diagnostic arthroscopy is recommended, if clinically indicated, for potential partial tears of the long head of the biceps tendon. The treating physician should be prepared to treat unsuspected tears of the long head of the biceps tendon at the time of surgery.     

Shoulder arthrography with sodium meglumine metrizoate and iopamidol

The purpose of this study was to analyze arthrographic imaging of the structures of the shoulder joint when using either sodium meglumine metrizoate or iopamidol as a contrast medium. Two hundred and ten patients underwent single-contrast shoulder arthrography. In patients with a full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff, both contrast agents reliably revealed this lesion. However, in patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear, the biceps tendon could be demonstrated more readily with iopamidol, which is a non-ionic contrast medium.     

Imaging of the rotator cuff and biceps tendon

Several different imaging techniques are available for evaluating the rotator cuff and biceps tendon. The common disorders of impingement, rotator cuff tears and biceps tendonitis are discussed along with the role which the various imaging modalities can play in establishing their diagnosis. Plain radiographs can be helpful particularly with a history of trauma but give limited information on the soft tissues. Ultrasound is a useful and inexpensive means of assessing the rotator cuff and biceps tendon but has a number of limitations and varying reports on its accuracy. Computed tomography (CT) is most helpful in the evaluation of shoulder trauma but gives limited information on the soft tissues. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an accurate imaging modality for evaluating the rotator cuff and biceps tendon, allowing visualisation of the soft tissues and the adjacent bony structures.     

Ultrasonography of the tendons of the shoulder

The purpose of the present study was to compare ultrasonographic signs with macroscopic and histological findings in lesions of the rotator cuff and the biceps tendon. Twenty-six shoulder joints from 10 male and 3 female cadavers, ranging in age from 40 to 89 years (mean 65.9), were examined with a linear array real-time ultrasonographic scanner provided with a 7.5 MHz transducer. Arthrotomy and histological preparations were made after ultrasonography. Thinning and discontinuity of echogenic homogenicity of the tendons of the rotator cuff were the most reliable ultrasonographic signs of a total tear of the tendon, but focal hyper- and hypo-echogenic changes of the tendons of the rotator cuff were unreliable criteria. Partial tears of the rotator cuff were difficult to determine with static ultrasonograms. Ultrasonography readily revealed discontinuity of echogenic homogenicity of the biceps tendon as a sign of a rupture of the tendon, which was commonly associated with rotator cuff tears.     

Ultrasonography of the rotator cuff: a comparison with arthroscopy in one-hundred-and-ninety consecutive cases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography compared to arthroscopy in the detection of rotator cuff tears. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative ultrasonography (US) with a 10-MHz commercially available linear-array transducer and a standardized study protocol was performed in 190 consecutive shoulders in 185 patients with a history of shoulder pain for more than 3 months. The findings at US were classified into intact cuff, partial-thickness, and full-thickness rotator cuff tears, and correlated with findings at shoulder arthroscopy. RESULTS: US correctly depicted 118 of 124 rotator cuff tears with sensitivity 95%, specificity 94%, PPV 97%, NPV 91% and accuracy 95%, all 94 full-thickness tears (sensitivity 100%, specificity 91%, PPV 91%, NPV 100%, and accuracy 95%), 24 of 30 partial-thickness tears (sensitivity 80%, specificity 98%, PPV 86%, NPV 96%, and accuracy 95%). CONCLUSION: US is a highly accurate diagnostic method for detecting full-thickness rotator cuff tears, but is less sensitive in detecting partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.     

Diagnostic evaluation of athletes with posttraumatic chronic shoulder pain

We examined 20 consecutively admitted athletes suffering from chronic shoulder pain for more than 6 months following a single shoulder trauma without dislocation. All had pain during loading, especially during over-the-head activities with a clicking sensation, and symptoms of dead arm were also present. On examination, 8 patients had decreased range of motion and 14 patients had a positive apprehension test. Three had signs of impingement. Diagnostic evaluation with special X-ray, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy identified IS lateral tears, 3 partial and 1 total rotator cuff lesions and 2 patients with synovitis of the rotator cuff with subacromial impingement. Three patients had tendinitis of the biceps tendon and 1 had a lesion of the greater tubercle. In conclusion, chronic shoulder pain after a single nondislocated shoulder trauma in athletes should be evaluated due to a possible intraarticular cause of the pain. MRI seems to be the most valuable noninvasive method of evaluating patients with chronic shoulder pain and should be performed before arthroscopy and operative procedures.     

Shoulder arthrography in rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthrograms of the shoulder were evaluated in 10 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The arthrographic findings common to all joints consisted of nodular filling defects, irregular capsular attachments, bursal filling defects and visualized lymphatic drainage. Findings unique to the shoulder joint consisted of rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, and biceps sheath dilatation. Since the agents used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis have profound side effects, it is important to exclude an associated rotator cuff tear and/or confirm the presence of glenohumeral rheumatoid involvement.     

The rotator cuff functional index

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in the clinical assessment of rotator cuff injuries, shortcomings exist in diagnosing rotator cuff tears. PURPOSE: To formulate a clinical rotator cuff functional index for predicting rotator cuff tears based on handheld dynamometer measurements for shoulder strength testing and to assess its ability to diagnose a rotator cuff tear. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Preoperative handheld dynamometer measurements, including supraspinatus, external rotation, internal rotation, adduction, and lift-off force, were compared in 100 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears (> 1.0 cm) and 100 patients with no rotator cuff injury (confirmed by arthroscopy). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the rotator cuff functional index and index for rotator cuff tear size were formulated in which 100 represented excellent rotator cuff function and less than 0 indicated a full-thickness supraspinatus tear. Each patient's index was calculated to determine its clinical value in predicting a rotator cuff tear; the Pearson correlation coefficient was established for the rotator cuff functional index for rotator cuff size. RESULTS: Two handheld dynamometer measurements predicted a rotator cuff tear (P < .001, r = 0.53), with rotator cuff functional index = 1.27 * supraspinatus (N) - 0.72 * adduction (N) - 11.6, but not tear size (r = 0.38). In predicting a rotator cuff tear (rotator cuff functional index < 0 = rotator cuff tear; rotator cuff functional index > 0 = no tear), the rotator cuff functional index had 83% sensitivity, 79% specificity, 80% positive predictive value, 82% negative predictive value, likelihood ratio of 4.0 for a positive test result and 0.2 for a negative test result and an accuracy of 81%. CONCLUSION: The 2 most useful tests for determining a rotator cuff tear with a handheld dynamometer were supraspinatus force and adduction force (as negative control). A functional index based on these measurements was able to rule out a rotator cuff tear and predict the presence but not the size of the tear.