Abstract
Sonographic findings in partial thickness tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder were compared with operative findings.
The subjects were 45 patients(32 males and 12 females)with partial thickness tears of the rotator cuff ranging in age from 15 to 75 years(mean 39.2 years)who underwent operation after sonographic examination. The injuries were bursal side tear in 20 shoulders, articular side tear in 20, and intratendinous tear in 5.
Ultrasonography(US)was performed with a 7.5-MHz linear scanner. Measurements were made in both long and short axis scans. The changes in the echogenicity of the rotator cuff layer were evaluated and classified into 4 types: typel(homogeneous), type2 (high-echoic), type3(low-echoic), and type4 (heterogeneous). Type2,3, and 4 changes were regarded as signs of tear.
Thirty shoulders(66.7%)of 45 shoulders were positive in ultrasonography. Of which 11(55%)were positive in 20 shoulders with bursal tear,14(70%)of 20 shoulders with articular side tear, and all in 5 shoulders with intratendinous tear. Eight shoulders of 13 of grade I of Snyder's classification were positive (61.5%),13(72.2%)in 18 of the grade II, and 10(90.9%)of 11 shoulders of grade III and IV.
Ultrasonography was useful in screening of tears and degeneration of the rotator cuff, but discrimination between partial tear and complete tear was diificult.
