MR Imaging after Surgery for Incomplete Rotator Cuff Tears

Abstract

[Purpose] We studied the clinical symptoms and MR images of the shoulder with incomplete rotator cuff tears before and after surgery, and evaluated the effects of the surgical treatment.
[Materials and methods] From 1993 to 1995, we studied 10 patients (7 males and 3 females) with incomplete rotator cuff tears of the shoulder who underwent MRI before and after surgery. The age of the patients was 44 to 70 years (mean,55 years) and the follow-up period was 3 to 13 months (mean,9months). Subacromial decompressions were carried out in all cases. Shavings of the rotator cuff were performed in 4 cases. Scanning was performed using a GE 1.5-T magnetic imaging system. Tiweighted and T2-weighted sequences were obtained in the oblique plane and in the axial plane.
[Results] The clinical symptoms were markedly improved after surgery. The MR images of the shoulder with incomplete cuff tears were as follows: (preoperative/postoperative). An intratendinous high signal pattern: 80%/70%. An abnormal morphology of the tendon: 100%/30%. Subacromialsubdeltoid fluid 30%/30%. Loss of the subacromial-subdeltoid fat plane: 80%/90%. Fluid in the glenohumeral joint: 40%/0%. Fluid in the tendon sheath sheath of the biceps long head: 70%/30%.
[Conclusion] A subacromial decompression was effective for the treatment of incomplete ro tator cuff tears, and MRI was useful for evaluation of the surgical treatment.