J Korean Soc Radiol.  2014 Nov;71(5):258-264. 10.3348/jksr.2014.71.5.258.

Relationships between Rotator Cuff Tear Types and Radiographic Abnormalities

• Lee SH
• Chun KA
• Lee SJ
• Cho BS
• Kang MH
• Yi KS
• Zhang Y

• KMID: 2208796
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2014.71.5.258

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine relationships between different types of rotator cuff tears and radiographic abnormalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The shoulder radiographs of 104 patients with an arthroscopically proven rotator cuff tear were compared with similar radiographs of 54 age-matched controls with intact cuffs. Two radiologists independently interpreted all radiographs for; cortical thickening with subcortical sclerosis, subcortical cysts, osteophytes in the humeral greater tuberosity, humeral migration, degenerations of the acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joints, and subacromial spurs. Statistical analysis was performed to determine relationships between each type of rotator cuff tears and radiographic abnormalities. Inter-observer agreements with respect to radiographic findings were analyzed.
RESULTS
Humeral migration and degenerative change of the greater tuberosity, including sclerosis, subcortical cysts, and osteophytes, were more associated with full-thickness tears (p < 0.01). Subacromial spurs were more common for full-thickness and bursal-sided tears (p < 0.01). No association was found between degeneration of the acromioclavicular or glenohumeral joint and the presence of a cuff tear.
CONCLUSION
Different types of rotator cuff tears are associated with different radiographic abnormalities.

MeSH Terms

Humans
Osteophyte
Rotator Cuff*
Sclerosis
Shoulder
Shoulder Joint

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A 42-year-old women who was diagnosed as full-thickness tear by shoulder arthroscopy. Anterior-posterior (AP) projection radiograph of the right shoulder shows cortical thickening with subcortical sclerosis in greater tuberosity (arrow).

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  Fig. 2 A 56-year-old men who was diagnosed as full-thickness tear by shoulder arthroscopy. Anterior-posterior (AP) projection radiograph of the right shoulder shows subcortical cyst (arrow) and osteophytes in greater tuberosity.

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  Fig. 3 A 69-year-old women who was diagnosed as full-thickness tear by shoulder arthroscopy. Anterior-posterior projection radiograph of the right shoulder shows degeneration of glenohumeral joint (arrow).

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  Fig. 4 A 65-year-old men who was diagnosed as intact rotator cuff by MR arthrography. Anterior-posterior projection radiograph of the left shoulder shows degeneration of acromioclavicular joint.

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  Fig. 5 A 69-year-old men who was diagnosed as full-thickness tear by shoulder arthroscopy. A. AP projection radiograph of the right shoulder shows decreased acromio-humeral interval. B. Oblique coronal T2-weighted image of the right shoulder shows the full-thickness defect and the torn retracted edge of the supraspinatus tendon.

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  Fig. 6 A 51-year-old men who was diagnosed as bursal sided partial-thickness tear by shoulder arthroscopy. A. Supraspinatus outlet view of the right shoulder shows subacromial spur (arrow). B. Oblique coronal T2-weighted image of the right shoulder shows irregular high signal intensity area along bursal surface of supraspinatus tendon (arrow).

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