Normal rotator cuff: MR imaging with conventional and fat-suppression techniques

The signal intensity and morphologic characteristics of the rotator cuff and surrounding structures at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were investigated with five pulse sequences in 15 asymptomatic subjects. In all subjects, a focal region of relative increased signal intensity corresponding to the critical zone was observed in the supraspinatus tendon just proximal to its insertion. Soft-tissue signal intensity (isointense with muscle) was also located between the supraspinatus tendon and underlying joint capsule, interposed between the conjoined leaves of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons, and superolateral to the conjoined cuff tendon, near its insertion. These regions were most conspicuous and most clearly defined with fat-suppression imaging. Small amounts of fluid were observed within the joint space and its recesses, the bicipital tendon sheath, and the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa. These and other MR imaging findings of this study previously have been regarded as indicative of rotator cuff abnormalities. These results will help refine the criteria for diagnosis of rotator cuff disorders with MR imaging.