Estimation of role of ultrasound and MRI in the examination of shoulder joint

Background: To recognize different pathologies affecting the shoulder joint with the help of ultrasound and MRI scans and to evaluate the features, pattern and extension of the different pathologies affecting the shoulder joint with help of ultrasound and MRI scans so as to help the clinician for further management. Aim: To estimate role of ultrasound and MRI in examination of shoulder joint. Material and methods: Study comprised of an observational hospital based study. Out of 65 patients, 20 underwent only ultrasound investigation, 25 underwent only MRI scans whereas 20 patients were evaluated by ultrasound and MRI. These were performed by 3-5 MHZ curvilinear probe and 8-10 MHZ linear probe on HD 7 and HD 9 Philips ultrasound machines and 1.5 T Philips MRI machine. MR arthrography was performed as a follow up in some of the patients in outside centre. Results: USG study also showed that the most commonly occurring rotator cuff tears were supraspinatus tears whereas alone infraspinatus and subscapularis tears were very rare. MRI study showed supraspinatus tears were the most frequently occurring in the rotator cuff whereas subscapularis and infraspinatus tears were rare. MRI is 100% confirmative in almost all cases of Rotator cuff tears but may sometimes need extra imaging by MR arthrography in partial bursal tears. Conclusion: Rotator cuff tears are the most common pathologies affecting the shoulder joint according to this study. It was proved that, there is no evident difference in the accuracy of ultrasound and MRI in detecting this pathology, even though MRI has proved to be more accurate in evaluating almost all other pathologies as compared to ultrasound.