Ultrasound investigation of the rotator cuff after computed arthrotomography coupled to bursography

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound rotator cuff imaging after injection of contrast medium into the glenohumeral joint and subacromial bursa.

Twenty-eight patients underwent ultrasonography before and after injection into the glenohumeral joint and subacromial bursa of a mixture of iodinated contrast medium and lidocaine solution. Findings were compared with those from computed tomography of the joint and bursa.

Sixteen 16 (16/28, 57%) post-contrast ultrasound scans revealed or confirmed rotator cuff lesions. For supraspinatus and infraspinatus lesions, there were three false-negatives and no false-positives. Three false-negatives were recorded for subscapularis lesions. All false-negatives occurred both before and after the contrast medium injections.

Injecting contrast medium into the glenohumeral joint and subacromial bursa improves the diagnostic yield of rotator cuff ultrasonography. We suggest that ultrasonography be performed after injections of drugs into the shoulder structures, particularly the subacromial bursa.