EVALUATION OF ROTATOR CUFF TEAR ON ULTRASOUND USING MRI AS GOLD STANDARD

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate accuracy of ultrasound following MRI  in patients with shoulder pain and/or disability and to compare the accuracy of ultrasound keeping MRI as gold standard

Study Design:

Descriptive study

Place and Duration:

Radiology Department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad from July 2021 to October 2021

Methodology:

141 patients with shoulder pain were examined by B-mode ultrasound. Each ultrasound finding was interpreted by a consultant radiologist and was looked for presence or absence of rotator cuff tear. USG findings were compared with MRI findings.

Results:

Total 141 patients were enrolled in the study with mean age was 54.34 ± 8.78 years. 65 (46.1 %) were male and 76 (53.9 %) were females. The mean length of tear was recorded as 20.04 ± 1.414mm, the width was 20.09 ± 1.434mm, and mean muscle atrophy was 0.682 ± 0.28mm. We have found diagnostic accuracy of 90.7%.

Conclusion:

Ultrasonography (US) is an inexpensive, convenient, and effective tool that can be used to evaluate the shoulder joint. It does not expose the patient to harmful radiation and can be used to evaluate the musculoskeletal system dynamically. Additionally, US is not subject to metal artifacts when evaluating patients with previously placed hardware. Ultrasound is a reliable and non-invasive diagnostic method with high diagnostic accuracy for rotator cuff tears. Ultrasound is easily available, inexpensive and convenient for the patient as well as the operator. It can be used to rule out rotator cuff & begin management at an early stage.