In Vivo Visualization of Vascular Patterns after Rotator Cuff Repair Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

Abstract

Visualization of the vascularity after rotator cuff repair would be useful for improving treatments for rotator cuff tear. The purpose of this study was to assess vascularity inside a tendon or an adjacent rotator cuff insertion point after rotator cuff repair. Nine patients (5 men, 4 women) consented to participate in the study. Contrast agent for enhanced ultrasound was injected intravenously. Enhanced ultrasound images of the torn cuff and the contralateral shoulder were recorded for 1 minute preoperatively. Four small regions of interest, inside the tendon, the bursa, and anchor hole were studied on all shoulders. The same procedures were carried out at 1, 2, and 3 months after the surgery. There was a significant increase in blood flow in the intratendinous region at 1 month after the surgery. Blood flow decreased after 2 month. We found obvious blood flow in the anchor hole at 3 months after the surgery. Vascularity in Bursal tissue had the same pattern as that inside the tendon. The findings of this investigation were that the postoperative hypervascular pattern in intratendinous tissue was comparative with the preoperative pattern. These blood flows may be associated with the healing process of tendon-to-bone insertion.