[Comparative arthrographic and echographic study of degenerative lesions of the rotator cuff of the shoulder]

Sonography is a simple technique which is currently employed in the study of rotator cuff lesions in the shoulder. A comparative US and arthrographic study was carried out on 52 patients with a "painful shoulder", to evaluate US yield in this pathologic condition. Arthrography was positive for a rotator cuff lesion in 31/52 cases (25 full-thickness and 6 incomplete lesions) and demonstrated associated conditions (capsulitis, chondral lesions, lesions of the long head of biceps, capsulo-ligamentous hypotonia, effusions) in 11 case. Arthrographic findings were negative in 10 cases. US demonstrated a lesion in 25/31 of positive arthrographic cases, and it was negative in 3/6 incomplete lesions. In 7/11 patients US yielded additional information as to associated conditions. US false-positives were 3/10, while in the extant 7/10 cases US was negative too. Thanks to its high sensitivity and specificity (80% and 70%, respectively, in our series), US appears as a valuable diagnostic complement to arthrography; the former may even replace the latter in those cases where conservative treatment is expected.