Role of ultrasound test in the diagnosis of clinically suspected Rotator cuff tear

Abstract

Background The rotator cuff tendons are key to the healthy function of the shoulder. Rotator cuff tear is a painful injury involving the supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis . Diagnosis is usually made through detailed history, physical examination, and often, imaging studies. Patients and method  From February 2006 to November 2007.Thirty two patients with shoulder  pain  were  subjected to a prospective comparative  study in Al-Yarmouk  Teaching  Hospital and of  these 33 patients , 8 patients were found to have full thickness tear(FTT)and 25 patients were found  to  have  partial  thickness  tear(PTT)  clinically  and  these  patients underwent ultrasonograpic(U/S)examination.
Result The result of the clinical examination were compared to the result of ultrasonography  (U/S)  examination.The  clinical  examination  shows  that P.T.T. more common, and occurs in younger age groups than F.T.T. Also rotator cuff tears more common in the dominant side and more common in male than female. Sensitivity of U/S in detection of F.T.T. was {87.5%}. Sensitivity of U/S in detection of P.T.T. was {56%} 
Conclusions F.T.T. is diagnosed mainly clinically and ultrasonography is useful  in  the  diagnosis  with  sensitivity  of  {87.5%}.P.T.T.  is  diagnosed mainly clinically and ultrasonography is not so useful in the diagnosis with sensitivity of {56%}.