Diagnostic Accuracy of USG and MRI for the Detection of Rotator Cuff Injury

Rotator cuff disease frequently causes shoulder pain and is diagnosed using various radiological methods alongside history and physical examination. Arthrography has traditionally been employed for this purpose, but newer non-invasive techniques such as ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are increasingly used. However, no single method is universally agreed upon as the best diagnostic tool, each having its own limitations.

To evaluate how effectively ultrasound and MRI can diagnose rotator cuff tears.

Seventy patients suspected of having a rotator cuff tear underwent investigations at the Radiology Department of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad. USG and MRI examinations were done on the same day, along with a detailed history. USG was conducted using a GE LOGIQ P9 machine with a high-frequency 3-12 MHz transducer. MRI was conducted using a 1.5T Siemens Magnetom Avanto scanner.

Pain and stiffness are the most common complaints in rotator cuff tears. The predisposing factors include male predominance, increasing age, dominant hand use, and trauma history. The supraspinatus tendon is the most frequently injured, with partial tears, especially articular surface tears, being more common than full-thickness tears. Clinical examinations, USG, and MRI are valuable in diagnosing rotator cuff tears.

Our findings indicate that USG may not be as reliable in detecting rotator cuff tears as once believed. A positive ultrasound result is more trustworthy than a negative one. In contrast, MRI demonstrates greater sensitivity and overall diagnostic accuracy compared to both ultrasonography and clinical assessment for detecting rotator cuff tears.