Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Rotator Cuff Tears

Abstract

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with the advent of surface coils, is becoming the modality of choice for imaging soft tissues around the shoulder joint. Good knowledge regarding the MR characteristics of rotator cuff tendons, acromion, and the abnormalities in these tendons is necessary for appropriate diagnosis. MethodsThis was a hospital-based descriptive, analytical and prospective study conducted at our tertiary care hospital. The study was performed on 50 patients with rotator cuff lesions detected on MRI of the shoulder joint. ResultsThe age distribution found in the study is between 19 and 66 years with mean being 43 ± 14.8 years. The peak incidence was found in the fifth and sixth decades of life. Gender-wise distribution of rotator cuff pathologies has shown no significant gender variation. The pain was the most common presenting complaint. An abnormal supraspinatus tendon was seen in 82% of the 50 study patients, making it the most commonly affected tendons, followed by subscapularis and infraspinatus tendons. No apparent teres minor pathology was identified in the study patients. The most common pathology affecting the supraspinatus tendon was tendinosis (38%) closely followed by a partial tear (36%). Among the partial tears, the articular surface type of tear was the most common. About 52% patients had type II (curved) acromion; making it the most common type of acromion followed by type III (hook), supraspinatus tendinopathy was more common in type II acromion. A reduction in the acromiohumeral distance can cause supraspinatus tendinosis and also makes it more susceptible to tear. About 45.5% showed supraspinatus tendon tears when the acromiohumeral distance was less than 8mm as compared to 13.6% when more than 10mm. Only 4.2% had normal supraspinatus tendon in patients with this distance less than 7mm. ConclusionMRI provides valuable information to the orthopaedic surgeon regarding the status of tendons, bones, and joints. In order to choose the appropriate course of action, it is crucial first to identify the issue and report relevant data from rotator cuff imaging. A full grasp of the rotator cuff's architecture and function, as well as the repercussions of rotator cuff diseases, is required.

Correlation of acromial shape and rotator cuff tears using magnetic resonance imaging

“…Koganti et al reported a statistically significant relationship between type II and RCTs. [12]. In this study, although the number of type III acromion increased in the age of 50 and over, no statistically significant relationship was found between the RCT, and a statistically significant relationship was found between type II and RCTs.…”

“…When the RCTs were evaluated, it was determined to male 182 (37%) and females 310 (67%), which differs from previous publications [5,15,21]. We think that this is because our females are more delicate as stated in the literature [7,12].…”

“…Ranie et al [9] found that the least common acromion types in the patient and control groups were type IV (3.6% and 10%, respectively), and the most common type was type II acromion (44.6% and 43.3%, respectively). In the studies of Kogantiet al, they found type I acromion in 14% (7), type II in 52%, and type III and type IV acromion in 34% [12]. Ahmed Hasan et al showed that type III was seen in 43.8% and type IV was 6.3% of patients [13].…”

“…Various microvascular studies have found that vascularity in the rotator cuff tissue decreases as people age [12,16]. Over the age of 50, a complete RCT is most commonly detected in their study [12,16]. [3,6,8,13].…”

MRI Assessment of Rotator Cuff Tear in Patients with Shoulder Pain

“…The supraspinatus is the most commonly affected rotator cuff among all those. A study by Koganti et al supported these findings: they found that in 82% of the 50 patients covered by the study, the supraspinatus tendon was abnormal, making it the most commonly affected tendon, followed by the subscapularis tendon and the infraspinatus tendon [19].…”