Olivia Silbermann-Hoffman MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Antoine Feydy MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ivan Maulat, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Frédéric Clarençon MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jean Luc Drapé, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Elisabeth Schouman-Claeys MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine if CT arthrography obtained in ABER (abduction and external rotation) position improves the detection of an horizontal component in partial thickness tears of the rotator cuff.

We examined 14 patients with CT arthrography including a first study with the shoulder in neutral position and a second study with the shoulder in the ABER position. Two experimented musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed independently the images obtained in ABER and the images in neutral position. The characteristics of the horizontal component of partial tears on ABER images were compared with those in neutral position. Classification of the horizontal component was done according to the appearance of the articular surface of the tendon. Type A lesion appears as an horizontal or intra substance component with no abnormality of the articular surface. Type B lesion exhibits horizontal component with irregularity of the articular surface. Type C lesion is associated with a flap lesion along the articular surface. Type D consists in irregular articular surface.

Horizontal component of partial thickness tears was detected more frequently on CT arthrography obtained in the ABER position; eight were visible only in the ABER position. Appearance of the horizontal component in ABER position was: type A= 2, type B= 6, type C= 4 and type D= 3. Full thickness tears were diagnosed in neutral and ABER position. ABER images allowed the visualisation of unstretched tendon floating inside the articulation.

ABER CT arthrography allows a better detection and depiction of horizontal partial tears. CT arthrography with ABER and neutral position is easily realized without lost of time during the same examination.

Silbermann-Hoffman, O, Feydy, A, Maulat, I, Clarençon, F, Drapé, J, Schouman-Claeys, E, Shoulder CT Arthrography in ABER Position in Rotator Cuff Tear.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4418930.html