A Clinico-Radiological Correlation of Shoulder Joint Pain Original Article

Background Shoulder pain is one of the commonest conditions encountered in our orthopedic department. Accurate diagnosis is a must before undertaking any treatment. Since clinical diagnosis cannot make an accurate diagnosis, radiological investigation is necessary to know the exact cause of shoulder pain. There are a wide range of invasive and non-invasive modalities that can be used to investigate these patients. Though MR arthrography is said to be the gold standard for investigating patients with shoulder pain, being invasive and expensive, generally not used as a first line of investigation. Hence non-invasive imaging like USG and conventional MRI should be used. Aims and objectives To evaluate a patient with shoulder joint pain in terms of Assessment by Ultrasound as the first line of imaging modality as compared to MRI. Comparing the accuracy of ultrasonography in shoulder joint pathologies by comparing its findings with those of Magnetic Resonance Imaging performed subsequently on the same patient. To delineate pitfalls during image interpretation and limitation of USG and MRI. Methods Prospective analysis of 30 patients presenting with shoulder pain were included in our study. A pre-formed written consent is also taken. All patients underwent a thorough clinical examination, followed by X-ray (AP) of the affected shoulder, USG of the affected shoulder with comparison of the opposite side and MRI of the affected shoulder for comparison. Results Ultrasound is equivalent in detection of rotator cuff tears in comparison with MRI. MRI outscores ultrasound in detection of labral tears, cartilaginous lesions and subtle bony lesions. Interpretation and conclusion USG examination can be used as the first line of investigating a case of shoulder pain as it is inexpensive, real time and allows for comparison with the opposite side. MRI can be used as a confirmatory tool or in problematic cases.