The diagnostic value of arthrography and plain radiography in rotator cuff tears

In 26 patients with surgically verified rotator cuff tears, the findings at radiography and arthrography were analysed. Plain anteroposterior radiograms were of no value in diagnosis. In plain groove-films, the slope of the medial wall and the depth of the intertubercular groove correlated with dislocations of the biceps tendon. In arthrography, leakage of the contrast medium into the subacromial or subdeltoid bursa was a reliable sign of a full-thickness tear. There was no correlation between the size of the tear measured at arthrography and at surgery. In cases where the biceps tendon sheath was visualised, the appearance was in agreement with the surgical findings.