[The sensitivity and specificity of sonographic examination in detection of rotator cuff tear]

Sonographic examination was performed in 72 patients (74 shoulders) suffering from different shoulder diseases. The results were correlated with findings obtained during subsequent surgery in 57 patients (58 shoulders) and arthrography in 15 cases (16 shoulders). Rotator cuff tear was proved during surgical procedure in 37 patients (38 shoulders). The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detection of cuff tear was 98.2% and 90% respectively. In case of partial cuff tear ultrasonography had lower sensitivity--50% while specificity was 96.3%. In detection of supraspinatus tendon tear the ultrasound sensitivity was 100% and specificity 95.6%, in case of infraspinatus tear sensitivity was 66.7% and specificity 94% while for subscapularis tear these values were equal 75% and 98.1%. The size of sonographically estimated cuff defect correlated properly with intrasurgical measurement in 76.3% of all cases.