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Rotator cuff tear imaging in patients over 70 years: specific MRI findings?

J Kany1, P-H Flurin, G Richardi

  • 1Clinique de l'Union, 31240 Saint-Jean, France.

Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Surgery & Research : OTSR
|November 12, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Older patients (over 70) with rotator cuff tears show more severe fatty infiltration and muscle wasting on MRI, differing from younger individuals. These specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings highlight age-related changes in supraspinatus tears.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Radiology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Rotator cuff tears are common, but specific pathological features in patients over 70 years of age remain understudied.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for evaluating rotator cuff tears.
  • This study addresses the lack of research on age-specific MRI findings in older adults with rotator cuff injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe and compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of supraspinatus tears in patients over 70 years of age versus younger patients.
  • To identify specific pathological features associated with rotator cuff tears in the elderly population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 50 patients with isolated supraspinatus tears, divided into two groups: <50 years (n=25) and >70 years (n=25).
  • Evaluation of tear size and retraction (Patte), tendon thickness, lamellar dissection, and fatty infiltration (Goutallier), muscle size (Thomazeau), and tangent sign (Zanetti) using MRI.

Main Results:

  • Contrary to hypothesis, lateral tendon thickness was similar between groups; medial tendon-muscle junction thickness was greater in younger patients.
  • Older patients exhibited more pronounced lamellar dissection and severe fatty infiltration.
  • Marked muscle wasting and a positive tangent sign were observed in over two-thirds of patients in the older group.

Conclusions:

  • This preliminary study identified distinct MRI features of supraspinatus tears in patients over 70 years compared to younger counterparts.
  • Specific findings include increased fatty infiltration and muscle wasting in older individuals.
  • Larger studies are warranted to validate these age-specific MRI observations in rotator cuff tears.
Keywords:
Magnetic resonance imagingOlder patientsRotator cuff tear

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