[Paraclinical diagnostic procedures in micro- and macrotraumas of the shoulder. Indications for echography and CT...

A careful physical examination is absolutely necessary as a first evaluation of all disorders of the shoulder before performing any imaging technique that must be chosen according to the kind of suspected pathology. The best indications for performing an arthroscanner are the intraarticular lesions such as injuries of the glenoid labrum and of the articular capsule. Echography is the most performing technique for bicipital and rotator cuff tendinitis. CT scan helps to understand the antero-internal retro-coracoidal impingment syndromes as well as uninterpretable bone lesions at standard radiography. Arthrography and arthro-pneumo-tomography are very useful for presurgical assessment of rotator cuff tears.