Thomas Henry Magee MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

We report the prevalence of supraspinatus tendon tears seen on MR arthrography that are not seen on conventional MR exam in the same patient population.

150 consecutive conventional shoulder MR and MR arthrography exams performed on the same patients were reviewed retrospectively by independent reading of two musculoskeletal radiologists. Both conventional MR and MR arthrogram exams were performed on each patient on the same day. Full thickness supraspinatus tendon tears were assessed. None of the patients had previous shoulder surgery. All patients went on to arthroscopy.

There were 107 full thickness supraspinatus tendon tears seen on conventional MR exam while there were 112 full thickness supraspinatus tendon tears seen on MR arthrography. The five additional full thickness supraspinatus tendon tears seen on MR arthrography but not seen on conventional MR exam were confirmed at arthroscopy.

In this study of patients without previous shoulder surgery, some full thickness supraspinatus tendon tears were not seen on conventional MR exam. This most likely is due to fibrosis at the tear site simulating an intact tendon. Patients with a high clinical suspicion for a full thickness supraspinatus tendon tear who have an intact tendon on conventional MR may benefit from further evaluation with MR arthrogram.

Patients with a high clinical suspicion for a full thickness supraspinatus tendon tear who have an intact tendon on conventional MR may benefit from further evaluation with MR arthrogram.

Magee, T, MR vs MR Arthrography in Detection of Supraspinatus Tendon Tears in Patients without Previous Shoulder Surgery.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11000933.html