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Updated: May 27, 2026
Rat Model of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder
Published on: September 28, 2018
Indirect MR arthrographic findings of adhesive capsulitis
Kyoung Doo Song1, Jong Won Kwon, Young Cheol Yoon
1Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Ilwon-Dong, Kangnam-Ku, Seoul, Korea.
Objective:
The objective of our study was to compare the indirect MR arthrographic findings of patients with adhesive capsulitis and patients without adhesive capsulitis.
Materials And Methods:
Indirect MR arthrograms of 35 patients (21 women, 14 men; mean age, 50.1 years) diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis clinically were compared with indirect MR arthrograms of 45 patients (23 women, 22 men; mean age, 48.9 years) without adhesive capsulitis. Joint capsule thickness in the axillary recess and the thicknesses of the enhancing portion of the axillary recess and the rotator interval were, respectively, evaluated on coronal T2-weighted images and coronal and sagittal fat-suppressed enhanced T1-weighted images by two radiologists independently. Reliability was studied using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared.
Results:
Patients with adhesive capsulitis had significantly thickened joint capsules in the axillary recess and a thickened enhancing portion in the axillary recess and in the rotator interval. The difference in the thicknesses of the enhancing portion in the axillary recess and in the rotator interval were significantly greater than the difference in joint capsule thicknesses in the axillary recess between the adhesive capsulitis group and the control group (p < 0.001). Interobserver reliability was good for all three indexes (ICC ≥ 0.80). The area under the ROC curve for the thickness of the joint capsule in the axillary recess and the thicknesses of the enhancing portion of the axillary recess and the rotator interval were 0.797, 0.861, and 0.847, respectively.
Conclusion:
An abundance of enhancing tissue in the rotator interval and thickening and enhancement of the axillary recess are signs suggestive of adhesive capsulitis on indirect MR arthrography.
Insights
Indirect MR arthrography reveals thickened joint capsules and enhancing tissue in the rotator interval and axillary recess, suggesting adhesive capsulitis. These findings aid in diagnosing this condition.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedic Imaging
- Musculoskeletal System
Background:
- Adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder, is a debilitating condition characterized by stiffness and pain.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare indirect MR arthrographic findings between patients with and without adhesive capsulitis.
- To identify specific imaging features indicative of adhesive capsulitis.
Main Methods:
- Indirect MR arthrograms were obtained from 35 patients with adhesive capsulitis and 45 controls.
- Joint capsule thickness in the axillary recess and enhancing tissue in the axillary recess and rotator interval were measured.
- Interobserver reliability and diagnostic performance were assessed using ICC and ROC curves.
Main Results:
- Patients with adhesive capsulitis demonstrated significantly thickened joint capsules and enhancing tissue in the axillary recess and rotator interval.
- The differences in enhancing tissue thickness were more pronounced than joint capsule thickening.
- The areas under the ROC curve indicated good diagnostic performance for these measurements (0.797-0.861).
Conclusions:
- Thickening and enhancement of the axillary recess, along with abundant enhancing tissue in the rotator interval, are key indicators of adhesive capsulitis on indirect MR arthrography.
- These findings can assist radiologists in diagnosing adhesive capsulitis.
