scholarly journals Can ultrasound suffice for triaging patients requiring surgical correction of rotator cuff tears—a comparative evaluation of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

Author(s):  
Aniket Agarwal ◽  
Kavita Vani ◽  
Anurag Batta ◽  
Kavita Verma ◽  
Shishir Chumber

Abstract Background Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the role of ultrasound and MRI in rotator cuff and biceps tendon pathologies and to establish ultrasound as a consistently reproducible, quick and accurate primary investigation modality sufficient to triage patients requiring surgical correction of full thickness rotator cuff tears. Methods: Fifty patients, clinically suspected to have rotator cuff and/or biceps tendon pathologies, with no contraindications to MRI, were evaluated by US and MRI, in a prospective cross-sectional observational study. US was done with high-frequency linear probe, and MRI was done on a 1.5-T scanner using T1 oblique sagittal, proton density (PD)/T2 fat-suppressed (FS) oblique sagittal, T1 axial, PD/T2 FS axial, T1 oblique coronal, T2 oblique coronal and PD FS oblique coronal sequences. Statistical testing was conducted with the statistical package for the social science system version SPSS 17.0. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy were also calculated to analyze the diagnostic accuracy of US findings correlating with MRI findings. A p value less than 0.05 was taken to indicate a significant difference. Results Mean age was 45 years; 74% patients were males; 77% females and 60% males had tears. Majority of patients with rotator cuff tears were in the sixth decade of life. The frequency of tears was higher among older patients. Fourteen percent of patients had full thickness tears while 64% had partial thickness tears. US was comparable to MRI for detection of full thickness tears with overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV and accuracy of 93.8%, 100%, 100% and 98.2%, respectively (p value < 0.001). For partial thickness tears, US had overall sensitivity, specificity, PPV and accuracy of 75.6%, 82.6%, 89.5% and 78%, respectively (p value < 0.001), as compared to MRI. Subacromial-subdeltoid bursal effusion and long head of biceps tendon sheath effusion were common associated, though, non-specific findings. Conclusion Ultrasound findings in our study were found to be in significant correlation with findings on MRI in detection of rotator cuff tears. US was equivalent to MRI in detection of full thickness tears and fairly accurate for partial thickness tears. Therefore, US should be considered as the first line of investigation for rotator cuff pathologies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 232596712110351
Author(s):  
Ali S. Farooqi ◽  
Alexander Lee ◽  
David Novikov ◽  
Ann Marie Kelly ◽  
Xinning Li ◽  
...  

Background: With recent improvements in transducer strength, image resolution, and operator training, ultrasound (US) provides an excellent alternative imaging modality for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears. Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of US for partial- and full-thickness rotator cuff tears and biceps tendon tears, compare diagnostic values with those of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using arthroscopy as the reference standard, assess longitudinal improvements in accuracy, and compare diagnostic values from operators with different training backgrounds. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for full-text journal articles published between January 1, 2010, and April 1, 2020. The inclusion criteria were studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of US for rotator cuff tears or biceps tendon tears utilizing arthroscopy as the reference standard. The exclusion criteria were studies with <10 patients, studies including massive tears without reporting diagnostic data for specific tendons, and studies lacking diagnostic outcome data. Extracted outcomes included diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value. The mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated for both US and MRI diagnostic values, and meta-analysis was conducted using the Mantel-Haenszel random-effects model. Results: In total, 23 eligible studies involving 2054 shoulders were included. US demonstrated a higher median diagnostic accuracy for supraspinatus tendon tears (0.83) and biceps tendon tears (0.93) as compared with subscapularis tendon tears (0.76). US was found to have a higher median accuracy (0.93) for full-thickness supraspinatus tears than partial-thickness tears (0.81). US had superior median sensitivity for partial-thickness supraspinatus tears when performed by radiologists as opposed to surgeons (0.86 vs 0.57). Meta-analysis of the 5 studies comparing US and MRI demonstrated no statistically significant difference in diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, or accuracy for any thickness supraspinatus tears (P = .31-.55), full-thickness tears (P = .63-.97), or partial-thickness tears ( P = .13-.81). Conclusion: For experienced operators, US is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of supraspinatus tears and demonstrates statistically equivalent capability to MRI in the diagnosis of both full- and partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.


Author(s):  
Niti More ◽  
R P Bansal ◽  
Mukesh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Bijendra Kumar Meena ◽  
Abhishek Gupta

Background: Shoulder pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complain encountered in general practice with an estimated point prevalence of 6.9 to 26% in the general population. The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting rotator cuff tears taking MRI findings as the standard. Available literature related to the present study was reviewed and salient features of each pathology discussed. Methods: This observational, prospective study was carried out in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, National Institute Of Medical Sciences & Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan. A total of 80 patients from all age groups with symptomatology related to rotator cuff of the shoulder joint, on the basis of inclusion criteria, were examined by USG and MRI from a period of January 2019 to June 2020. Results: USG had good sensitivity (82 to 93%), specificity (92 to 97%), PPV (85 to 87%), NPV (91 to 98%) and accuracy (90 to 96%) as compared MRI for diagnosing supraspinatus lesions. The sensitivity and accuracy of USG for detecting full thickness tears was better than the same for partial thickness tears and tendinosis. Conclusion: In our study, USG examination had excellent sensitivity, specificity and accuracy as compared MRI for diagnosing full thickness rotator cuff tears. It was also fairly accurate in detecting partial thickness tears and tendinosis. It was comparable to MRI in diagnosing and quantifying joint effusion and acromioclavicular degenerative changes. USG scored over MRI in diagnosing calcific tendinosis while some findings, such as labral tears, were only detected by MRI. Keywords: MRI, USG, Shoulder pain.


Author(s):  
Tao Huang ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Yupeng Ma ◽  
Dongsheng Zhou ◽  
Liang Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Numerous quantitatively studies have focused on the diagnosis of bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (RCTs); however, the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR arthrography (MRA) remains inconclusive. This study was performed systematically to compare the diagnostic value of MRA and MRI for the bursal-sided partial-thickness RCTs. Methods Three electronic databases, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, were utilized to retrieve articles comparing the diagnostic value of MRA and MRI for detecting bursal-sided partial-thickness RCTs. After screening and diluting out the articles that met the inclusion criteria to be used for statistical analysis, the pooled evaluation indexes include sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results Twelve studies involving 1740 patients and 1741 shoulders were identified. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, and AUC of MRA to diagnose bursal-sided partial-thickness RCTs were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.67–0.85), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.95–0.99), 73.01 (95% CI, 35.01–152.26), and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.85–0.91), respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR, and AUC of MRI were 0.77 (95% CI, 0.66–0.86) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.81–0.99), and 37.12 (95% CI, 8.08–170.64) and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78–0.85), respectively. Conclusions This meta-analysis reveals that MRA and MRI have similar diagnostic value for the diagnosis of bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1405-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J. Matava ◽  
Derek B. Purcell ◽  
Jonas R. Rudzki

Partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff have been diagnosed with increased frequency because of a heightened awareness of the condition by clinicians and improved diagnostic methods. Research into the causes, natural history, and optimal treatment of this condition lags behind that of full-thickness tears. However, despite the limitations in the existing literature, there has emerged a consensus among shoulder experts that partial-thickness rotator cuff tears should be aggressively treated in the active athlete because of the unfavorable natural history of these lesions and success of accepted surgical algorithms. This review will provide an overview of the theories regarding the origins of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, discuss the relative accuracy of accepted diagnostic techniques, and summarize the indications and methods of operative repair with an emphasis on the results of various treatment approaches.


2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 588-596 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok Won Chung ◽  
Jae Yoon Kim ◽  
Jong Pil Yoon ◽  
Seong Hwa Lyu ◽  
Sung Min Rhee ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 2073-2080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang-Soo Kim ◽  
Sung-Eun Kim ◽  
Sung-Ho Bae ◽  
Hyo-Jin Lee ◽  
Won-Hee Jee ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianxin Li ◽  
Jinlei Dong ◽  
Qinghu Li ◽  
Jinye Dong ◽  
Dongsheng Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: This study aims to compare the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MR arthrography (MRA) for the articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT).Methods: Three electronic databases, PubMed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library, were utilized to retrieve articles comparing the diagnostic value of MRA and MRI for detecting articular-sided PTRCTs. The pooled statistical indexes included sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive value, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: Eleven studies involving 1703 patients and 1704 shoulders were included. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR and AUC and their 95% CIs of MRA to diagnose articular-sided PTRCTs were 0.81 (95% CI, 0.65-0.90), 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91-0.98), 68.14 (95% CI, 33.20-139.84) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94-0.97), respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, DOR and AUC and their 95% CIs of MRI were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.65-0.87) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.84-0.99), 47.82 (95% CI, 8.29-275.89) and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.86-0.92), respectively.Conclusions: This meta-analysis reveals that MRA has a better diagnostic value than that of MRI for the diagnosis of articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, but only small improvement of sensitivity. Considering the price and invasion of MRA, MRI is recommended as an initial examination to detect patients suspected with articular-side partial-thickness rotator cuff tears.


Author(s):  
Maxwell C. Park

Rotator cuff tears can be the source of significant morbidity. Impingement syndrome involving repetitive and prolonged mechanical irritation of the rotator cuff against the roof of the shoulder creates a progression of disease. Chronic tendon inflammation can lead to structural loss of integrity, leading to partial tears, and if left unchecked, full-thickness tears. Currently, the surgeon has the ability to repair full-thickness tears using minimally invasive techniques. However, the persistent tear rate after repair is remarkably high, more than 50% in some studies. One surgical goal is to alter progression of disease, and repair partial-thickness tears, for example. Another goal is to optimize the healing environment with the repair construct itself, accounting for biomechanical considerations. When using an arthroscopic approach, the challenges for treating partial- versus full-thickness tears varies significantly given anatomic restrictions—particularly, during repair of partial-thickness tears, the surgeon is “blind” for portions of the procedure as the arthroscope is typically placed intra-articularly, while instruments are passed from above the tendon, extra-articularly. Ideally, new technologies can be developed to optimize rotator cuff repair and healing in this setting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596712110607
Author(s):  
Yang-Soo Kim ◽  
Yun-Gyoung Lee ◽  
Min-Tae Kim ◽  
Hyo-Jin Lee

Background: Apoptosis and autophagy are known to be correlated with the extent of damage in torn rotator cuffs, and there is no biological evidence for self-recovery or healing of the rotator cuff tear. Purpose: To establish in a rat model of partial- and full-thickness rotator cuff tears how a glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) inhibitor affects the expression of apoptotic and autophagic markers. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twelve-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 16 per group). Group 1 acted as the control, with no treatment; group 2 received partial-thickness (right side) and full-thickness (left side) rotator cuff tears only; and group 3 received the same rotator cuff injuries, with GSK-3β inhibitor injected afterward. The tendons from each group were harvested 42 days after surgery. Evaluation of gene expression, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated dUTP nick end labeling) were performed for the following markers: caspases 3, 8, and 9 as well as Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2); BAX (Bcl-2-associated X protein); beclin 1; p53; and GSK-3β; which represented apoptotic and autophagic reactions. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way analysis of variance. Results: In the group 2 rats with partial- and full-thickness tears, there were significant increases in the mRNA levels (fold changes) of all 8 markers as compared with group 1 (control). All these increased markers showed significant downregulation by the GSK-3β inhibitor in partial-thickness tears. However, the response to the GSK-3β inhibitor in full-thickness tears was not as prominent as in partial-thickness tears. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in group 2 (partial, 35.08% ± 1.625% [mean ± SE]; full, 46.92% ± 1.319%) was significantly higher than in group 1 (18.02% ± 1.036%; P < .01) and group 3 (partial, 28.04% ± 2.607% [ P < .01]; full, 38.97% ± 2.772% [ P < .01]), and immunohistochemistry revealed increased expression of all the markers in group 2 as compared with control. Conclusion: The apoptotic and autophagic activity induced in a rat model of an acute rotator cuff tear was downregulated after treatment with a GSK-3β inhibitor, particularly with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Clinical Relevance: A GSK-3β inhibitor may be able to modulate deterioration in a torn rotator cuff.


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