US appearance of partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears: Application of the string theory. Pictorial essay.

The supraspinatus tendon is composed of 5 different layers consisting of intertwining bundles. On a front portion of the tendon, the layers become coated bundles which insert on the trochanter. At the insertion, the superficial or bursal surface of the tendon corresponding to the tendon fibers in contact with the subacromial bursa can be distinguished from the deep surface corresponding to the fibers in contact with the glenohumeral joint.

[Harmonic sonography of rotator cuff tendons: are cleavage tears visible at last?].

Purpose: For some, cleavage tears remain a pitfall of sonography (US). The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the visibility of intratendinous tears of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons and describe their imaging features on tissue harmonic US.

Materials And Methods: Prospective study of 52 patients with suspected cuff pathology who underwent US prior to CT-arthrography, CT-bursography or MR arthrography.

[Hyperechoic rotator cuff tendon tear].

Purpose: To describe unusual rotator cuff tendon tears which are hyperechoic at ultrasonography (US).

Materials And Method: We retrospectively reviewed the shoulder US examinations of 100 patients with rotator cuff tear demonstrated by CT arthrogram with bursography. We included in this study hyperechoic foci without surrounding hypoechoic zone.

Ultrasound investigation of the rotator cuff after computed arthrotomography coupled to bursography.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound rotator cuff imaging after injection of contrast medium into the glenohumeral joint and subacromial bursa.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-eight patients underwent ultrasonography before and after injection into the glenohumeral joint and subacromial bursa of a mixture of iodinated contrast medium and lidocaine solution. Findings were compared with those from computed tomography of the joint and bursa.

Rotator cuff imaging using bursography coupled to helical computed arthrotomography.

Objective: To describe a rotator cuff imaging method with high sensitivity for the detection of partial tears of the superficial surface of the rotator cuff.

Patients And Methods: 33 patients with shoulder pain and no conventional arthrography evidence of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were investigated by bursography coupled with helical computed arthrotomography. Nine subsequently underwent surgery or bursoscopy.