Update on Diagnostic Imaging of the Rotator Cuff.

Jennifer Pierce, Mark Anderson

Journal: Clinics in sports medicine 2022;42(1):25-52

PMID: 36375869

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Understanding the anatomy, injury patterns, and surgical procedures is essential for image interpretation. While direct evaluation of the rotator cuff cannot be made, radiographs of the shoulder provide the initial evaluation of the osseous abnormalities associated with rotator cuff impingement. MR imaging is considered the study of choice for the evaluation of the shoulder because of the comprehensive assessment of both bone and soft-tissue abnormalities. MR can accurately evaluate the size and shape of tendon tears, tendon tear retraction, and tendon and muscle quality. Computed tomography is an excellent modality for the evaluation of osseous detail and detection of gas and calcium deposition; however, conventional CT is much less sensitive for bone marrow edema detection and soft tissue detail of the rotator cuff. Ultrasound can assess the rotator cuff with results similar to MRI, but cannot evaluate osseous structures.

Address: Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Musculoskeletal Imaging, University of Virginia Health Systems, 1215 Lee Street, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Musculoskeletal Imaging, University of Virginia Health Systems, 1215 Lee Street, PO Box 800170, Charlottesville, VA, USA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.08.009

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Rotator Cuff, Rotator Cuff Injuries, Shoulder Impingement Syndrome, Shoulder Joint, Magnetic Resonance Imaging