Imaging of The Shoulder – Rotator Cuff and Beyond

Kurzfassung:

Ultrasound and MR imaging can demonstrate the extent and configuration of rotator cuff abnormalities. Rotator cuff tears can be classified according to size, either as small (< 1 cm), medium (1 – 3 cm), large (3 – 5 cm), or massive (< 5 cm). Tears are described either as full-thickness or partial thickness tears. The partial thickness tears can be subclassified with varies acronyms such as PASTA lesion (Partial Articular Supraspinatus Tendon Avulsion), „Rim–Rent“ lesion synonym to PASTA lesion, „reverse“ PASTA lesion indicating a tear at the bursal side, or a PAINT lesion (Partial thickness Articular surface Intra-Tendinous). Repair of a rotator cuff tear will not result in optimal functional outcome if the ability of the muscle to contract is irreversibly lost, primarily due to muscle atrophy. CT and MR seem more appropriate than ultrasound for assessing muscle atrophy. The intraarticular portion of the long head of the biceps brachii tendon is associated with the coracohumeral and the superior glenohumeral ligaments, which, together with superior fibers from the subscapularis tendon, act as a pulley that keeps the long head of the biceps brachii tendon from subluxating or dislocating.

Lernziele:

To know to describe and to classify rotator cuff tears on MRI. To know to evaluate rotator cuff interval abnormalities on MRI. To know the differenzial diagnoses of rotator cuff lesions.