[Sonography of the shoulder joint. Study technic, sonomorphology and diagnostic significance]

In the evaluation of the impingement syndrome, conventional radiography can only show secondary bony changes. Sonography is able to demonstrate the anatomy of the musculotendinous structure of the rotator cuff. Lesions can be detected with the same accuracy and specificity as by contrast arthrography. As sonography is a non-invasive method, it should be used routinely to test rotator cuff integrity. Joint effusions and proliferative synovial changes are easily demonstrated by sonography. It is thus possible to perform follow-up studies in a pre-erosive stage of rheumatoid arthritis.