Ultrasonographic and MR Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Disorders&Shoulder Joint Instability

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role and efficacy of U/S and MR in diagnosis of rotator cuff disorders& shoulder joint instability. PATIENTS& METHODS: This study included 40 patients, who presented with shoulder pain and/or movement limitation. They underwent U/S examination followed by MR examination. The U/S& MR diagnostic criteria for each were analysed, compared& then correlated with orthopedic surgical findings and/or by arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: Out of 40 patients, 20 patients had rotator cuff disorder& 15 patients had shoulder joint instability. Out of 20 patients of rotator cuff disorder, 17 of them (80 %) had rotator cuff tears& 3 (20 %) had tendinosis. Supraspinatous muscle was involved in all the cases. Out of 15 patients of shoulder joint instability, 12 patients had anterior labral tear, 2 patient had superior labral tear& 1 had posterior labral tear. CONCLUSION: Both MR and U/S are valid diagnostic modalities in detecting, characterizing& discriminating the rotator cuff disorders. U/S may have some challenges in patients with shoulder joint instability, while MR provides accurate diagnosis even without contrast.