Abstract
The present study was conducted to compare the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) for detecting rotator cuff tears. A total of 42 cases for which shoulder arthroscopic surgery was performed were examined preoperatively using MRI and US. Subscapularis tendon tears were identified by MRI with a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 72.2%, 95.8% and 85.7%, respectively, and by US with corresponding values of 61.1%, 95.8% and 81.0%, respectively. Supraspinatus tendon tears were identified by MRI with a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 97.1%, 87.5% and 95.2%, respectively, and by US with corresponding values of 91.2%, 100% and 92.9%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the MRI and US for all evaluations. Our results suggest that US is useful for diagnosis of supraspinatus tendon tears, and equally as useful as MRI. On the other hand, both methods were not sufficient for diagnosis of subscapularis tendon tears. In conclusion, US may be helpful as a screening examination for detection of a rotator cuff tear. However, if the findings are negative, then the possibility of a subscapularis tendon tear should be considered.
