Can USG Replace the MRI- in Rotator cuff? A Prospective Study

Background: The shoulder joint is an elegant anatomic structure; its range of motion exceeds all other joints, it relies on a variety of structures for its stability including rotator cuff tendons. Both ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used as an investigation tool for rotator cuff pathologies. There is a difference in consensus, which is more accurate and cost-effective study in evaluating the rotator cuff diseases. This prospective study is done to evaluate the findings of both MRI and USG. Results: USG examination had an excellent specificity (88 to 100%), PPV (84 to 100 %), better NPV (87 to 96 %), and fair sensitivity (66 to 95%) in comparison to MRI for diagnosing complete rotator cuff tear than partial tear or tendinosis. Conclusion: MRI can be used in difficult or unsure cases where the diagnosis is doubtful on USG. Although USG was operator-dependent, a well-performed USG can effectively serve as a primary diagnostic method and screening of all painful shoulder joints because it is cheap, fast, and widely available. USG imaging can be considered relatively effective as MRI in the initial evaluation of rotator cuff pathologies