Hyun Pyo Hong MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Hye Won Chung, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sang-Hee Choi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Young Cheol Yoon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jun Yong Park, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Min Hee Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Seung Ho Kim MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRA in the evaluation of rotator cuff tear and BCT tear of the shoulder

From January 2003 to June 2004, 221 shoulders of 220 patients underwent both preoperative MRA and arthroscopic surgery. An experienced orthopedic surgeon performed arthroscopic surgeries and recorded the arthroscopic findings of SUB (normal, partial tear, complete tear), SST/IST (normal, PTa, FT), and BCT (normal, partial tear, complete tear). Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed MRA independently and recorded the status of SUB, SST/IST, and BCT, retrospectively. Interobserver agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRA were calculated with gold standard of arthroscopic findings. Statistical analyses for the difference of accuracy according to areas and severity of injury were performed.

Arthroscopy revealed 40 partial tears and 4 complete tears of SUB, 30 PTa, 34 PTb, and 54 FT of SST/IST, and 25 partial tears and 4 complete tears of BCTs. Interobserver agreement values were 0.44 for SUB, 0.81 for SST/IST, and 0.50 for BCT. Sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies of MRA were as follows: 35%/93%/83% for SUB partial tear, 88%/100%/100% for SUB complete tear, 30%/98%/87% for SST/IST PTa, 53%/97%/90% for SST/IST PTb, 97%/95%/93% for SST/IST FT, 20%/98%/89% for BCT partial tear, and 63%/99%/98% for BCT complete tear, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in accuracy among structures. Sensitivities and accuracies for complete tear and FT were significantly higher than those for partial tear or PT. There were no differences in sensitivity, specificity or accuracy between PTa and PTb in SST/IST.

MRA was valuable in the diagnosis of complete tear of SUB or BCT and FT of SST/IST, and showed relatively low sensitivity for partial tear in SUB and BCT and PTa or PTb in SST/IST. Abbreviations: MRA (magnetic resonance arthrography), SUB (subscapularis), SST/IST (supraspinatus and infraspinatus complex), BCT (biceps long head tendon). PT (partial thickness tear), PTa (partial thickness tear, articular surface), PTb (partial thickness tear, bursal surface), FT (full thickness tear)

Hong, H, Chung, H, Choi, S, Yoon, Y, Park, J, Lee, M, Kim , S, et al, , Diagnostic Value of MR Arthrography for Evaluation of Rotator Cuffs and Biceps Tendons.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4413757.html