Marina Kislyakova MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

J. Antonio Bouffard, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Veronika Gazhonova MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alexander Zubarev MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the value of gray-scale and Power Doppler Ultrasonography (US) in the assessment of the response to conservative treatment of shoulder tendinitis.

23 patients with shoulder tendinitis underwent US prior to, then at 2 and 4 months during treatment. The shoulders were imaged using Antares (Siemens), HDI-5000 (ATL) and EUB-6000 (Hitachi). System settings were constant in all patients in B-mode and Power Doppler (PD) using linear-array transducers. Tendons thickness, echo-structure, bursal thickness and vascularity were evaluated. US-results were compared with clinical data of each patient throughout the follow-up studies.

With gray-scale US before treatment, average thickness for supraspinatus was 0.75 cm (range 0.57-0.82 cm), infraspinatus – 0.61 cm (range 0.52-0.75 cm), subscapularis – 0.70 cm (range 0.65-0.73 cm) and long head of the biceps – 0.46 cm (range 0.43-0.51 cm). Supraspinatus tendinitis was observed in 69% of the cases, and 74% were associated with bicipital tendinitis. Fluid was detected, mostly in bicipital bursa in 52%, with an average volume of 0.45 ml (range 0.31-0.72 ml). Using PD, hypervascularity was detected in 52% cases of bicipital tendinitis, in 30% supraspinatus, 13% subscapularis and only in 4% of infraspinatus tendinitis. After 4 months of treatment, positive changes were revealed as decreased thickness of tendons: supraspinatus down to 0.58 cm, infraspinatus - 0.48 cm, subscapularis – 0.52 cm and long head of the biceps – 0.40 cm. No abnormal fluid was detected. In cases of negative clinical response, the thickness of tendons did NOT change significantly,13% had detectable fluid in the bicipital bursa (average volume of 0.21 ml), and PD revealed continued hypervascularity in long head of the biceps.

Gray-scale and Power Doppler US proved to be useful in the assessment of the response to conservative treatment of shoulder tendinitis.

Kislyakova , M, Bouffard, J, Gazhonova, V, Zubarev, A, The Value of US Monitoring in Shoulder Tendonitis.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4408518.html