Evaluation of Rotator Cuff Tendinopathies and Tears with High‑resolution Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sher‑I‑Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

10.4103/atr.atr_20_17

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of high‑resolution ultrasonography (USG) in the evaluation of rotator cuff
tendinopathies and tears with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlation to determine its sensitivity and specificity. Materials and Methods:
The prospective study was conducted on 40 patients referred to the Department of Radiology for the evaluation of rotator cuff pathologies over
a period of 18 months. All the patients underwent high‑frequency USG followed by MRI. Variables such as sensitivity, specificity, negative
predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and accuracy of high‑frequency USG and MRI were evaluated. Results: The sensitivity,
specificity, NPV, PPV, and accuracy of high‑frequency USG in the evaluation of rotator cuff pathologies in comparison to MRI as standard
were 90.6%, 87.5%, 96.6%, 70%, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: High‑frequency USG is almost equally sensitive and specific as MRI
for the diagnosis of rotator cuff pathologies, and due to its cost‑effectiveness, easy affordability, ease of evaluating contralateral shoulder,
more patient compliance, noninvasiveness, and wider applications, we recommend it to be used as a primary modality for evaluating rotator
cuff. MRI should be performed in case some extra information is required.

Keywords


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