Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Shoulder

  • Chapter
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

The shoulder joint is the commonest joint examined sonographically, and is often the first joint on which most imagers are introduced to musculoskeletal ultrasound. The shoulder is superficial and readily accessible to ultrasound assessment and is excellent for assessing the normal anatomy and pathology of the shoulder joint; it has sensitivities and specificities in assessment of the rotator cuff that are comparable to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasound offers excellent resolution, is multiplanar, accessible, and cost efficient. One of ultrasound’s main strengths is its ability to image in real time the normal dynamic motion of joints and surrounding soft tissues. This dynamic component of the study may expose pathologies not apparent in a static examination.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Snell R. The upper limb. In: Clinical Anatomy, 7th ed., pp. 570–572. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gray H. The Complete Gray’s Anatomy, 16th ed., pp. 378–383. London: Longman, Green, and Co., 1905.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Resnick D. Internal derangements joints. In: Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Disorders, 4th ed., pp. 3068–3146. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gray H. The Complete Gray’s Anatomy, 16th ed., pp. 502–513. London: Longman, Green, and Co., 1905.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Vahlensieck M, an Haack K, Schmidt H. Two portions of the supraspinatus muscle: A new finding about the muscles macroscopy by dissection and magnetic resonance imaging. Surg Radiol Anat 1994;16:101–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Zlatkin M. Shoulder anatomy. In: MRI of the Shoulder, 2nd ed., pp. 85–116. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  7. van Holsbeeck M, Introcaso J. Sonography of the shoulder. In: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, 2nd ed., pp. 463–516. St. Louis: Mosby, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Gleason P, Beall D, Sanders T. The transverse humeral ligament: A separate anatomical structure or a continuation of the osseous attachment of the rotator cuff? Am J Sports Med 2006;34(1):72–77.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Plancher K, Johnston J, Peterson R. The dimensions of the rotator interval. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2005;14(6):620–625.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Brossmann J, Preidler K, Pedowitz R. Shoulder impingement syndrome: Influence of shoulder position on rotator cuff impingement–-an anatomic study. AJR 1996;167(6):1511–1515.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Buttaci C, Stitik T, Yonclass P et al. Osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2004;83:791–797.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Ferri M, Finlay K, Popowich T et al. Sonographic examination of the acromioclavicular and sternoclavicular joints. J Clin Ultrasound 2005;33:345–355.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Shaffer B. Painful conditions of the acromioclavicular joint. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1999;7:176–188.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Mosely HF, Overgaard B. The anterior capsular mechanism in recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg 1962;44B:913–927.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Taljanovic M, Carlson K, Kuhn J et al. Sonography of the glenoid labrum: A cadaveric study with arthroscopic correlation. AJR 2000;174:1717–1722.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Schydlowsky P, Strandberg C, Galatius S et al. Ultrasonographic examination of the glenoid labrum of healthy volunteers. Eur J Ultrasound 1998;8:85–89.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Schydlowsky P, Strandberg C, Tranum-Jensen J. Post-mortem ultrasonographic assessment of the anterior glenoid labrum. Eur J Ultrasound 1998;8:129–133.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bouffard J, Lee S, Dhanju J. Ultrasonography of the shoulder. Semin Ultrasound CT MRI 2000;21(3):164–191.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Prescher A. Anatomical basics, variations, and degenerative changes of the shoulder joint and shoulder girdle. Eur J Radiol 2000;35(2):88–102.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Plancher k, Peterson R, Johnston J. The spinoglenoid ligament. Anatomy, morphology, and histological findings. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87:361–365.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Farin PU, Jaroma H, Harju A. Medial displacement of the biceps brachii tendon: Evaluation with dynamic sonography during maximal external shoulder rotation. Radiology 1995;195(3):845–848.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Itamura J, Dietrick T, Roidis N. Analysis of the bicipital groove as a landmark for humeral head replacement. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11(4):322–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Clark J, Harryman D. Tendons, ligaments and capsule of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1992;74:713–726.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Curtis AS, Burbank KM, Tierney JJ et al. The insertional footprint of the rotator cuff: An anatomic study. Arthroscopy 2006;22(6):603–609.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Crass J, Craig E, Feinberg S. The hyperextended internal rotation view in rotator cuff ultrasonography. J Clin US 1987;6:416–420.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Middleton W, Teefey S, Yamaguchi K. Sonography of the shoulder. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 1998;2(3):211–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Turrin A, Capello A. Sonographic anatomy of the supraspinatus tendon and adjacent structures. Skeletal Radiol 1997;26:89–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Boehm T, Kirschner S, Mueller T. Dynamic ultrasonography of rotator cuff muscles. J Clin Ultrasound 2005;33:207–213.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Hammar M, Wintzell G, Astrom K et al. Role of US in the preoperative evaluation of patients with anterior shoulder instability. Radiology 2001;219:29–34.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rasmussen O. Anterior shoulder instability: Sonographic evaluation. J Clin Ultrasound 2004;32:430–437.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kock H, Jurgens C, Hirche H. Standardised ultrasound examination for evaluation of instability of the acromioclavicular joint. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1996;115:136–140.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Sluming V. Technical note: Measuring the coracoclavicular distance with ultrasound–-a new technique. Br J Radiol 1995;68(806):189–193.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Azzoni R, Cabitza P, Parrini M. Sonographic evaluation of subacromial space. Ultrasonics 2004;42:683–687.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Morag Y, Jacobson J, Lucas R et al. US appearance of the rotator cable with histiologic correlation: Preliminary results. Radiology 2006;241(2):485–491.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Park H, Yokota A, Gill H. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests for the different degrees of subacromial impingement syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87(7):1446–1455.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Farin P, Jaroma H, Harju A et al. Shoulder impingement syndrome: Sonographic evaluation. Radiology 1990;176:845–849.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hollister M, Mack L, Patten R et al. Association of sonographically detected subacromial/subdeltoid bursal effusion and intra-articular fluid with rotator cuff tear. AJR 1995;165:605–608.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Lee H, Joo K, Park C et al. Sonography of the shoulder after arthrography (arthrosonography): Preliminary results. J Clin Ultrasound 2002;30(1):23–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Krarup A, Court-Payen M, Skjoldbye B. Ultrasonic measurement of the anterior translation in the shoulder joint. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1999;8(2):136–141.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Staff Radiologist, Musculoskeletal Imaging Diagnostic Imaging Department St. Joseph’s Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    John M.D. O’Neill

Authors
  1. John M.D. O’Neill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Staff Radiologist, Musculoskeletal Imaging Diagnostic Imaging Department St. Joseph’s Healthcare, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    John M.D. O’Neill MB, B.A.O, B.Ch, MRCPI, MSc, FRCR(UK) (Assistant Professor) (Assistant Professor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

O’Neill, J.M. (2008). The Shoulder. In: O’Neill, J.M. (eds) Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76610-2_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76610-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-76609-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-76610-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation