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Rotator cuff tears noncontrast MRI compared to MR arthrography

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Abstract

Objectives

To compare the accuracy of indirect magnetic resonance arthrography and noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing rotator cuff tears.

Materials and methods

In total, 333 patients who underwent noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging or indirect magnetic resonance arthrography were included retrospectively. Two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated the images for the presence of supraspinatus-infraspinatus and subscapularis tendon tears. The overall diagnostic performance was calculated using the arthroscopic findings as the reference standard. Statistical differences between the diagnostic performances of the two methods were analyzed.

Results

Ninety-six and 237 patients who underwent noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging and indirect magnetic resonance arthrography were assigned into groups A and B, respectively. Sensitivity for diagnosing articular-surface partial-thickness supraspinatus-infraspinatus tendon tear was slightly higher in group B than in group A. Statistical significance was confirmed by multivariate analysis using the generalized estimating equation (p = 0.046). The specificity for diagnosing subscapularis tendon tear (85 % vs. 68 %, p = 0.012) and grading accuracy (57 % vs. 40 %, p = 0.005) was higher in group B than in group A; the differences were statistically significant for one out of two readers. Univariate analysis using the generalized estimating equation showed that the accuracy for diagnosing subscapularis tendon tear in group B was higher than in group A (p = 0.042). There were no statistically significant differences between the diagnostic performances of both methods for any other parameters.

Conclusion

Indirect magnetic resonance arthrography may facilitate more accurate diagnosis and grading of subscapularis tendon tears compared with noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank to Keumhee Cho and Min-Ji Kim, the staff of Biostatistics and Clinical epidemiology Center, for their contribution to the analysis and design for the statics.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-710, Korea

    Ji Hyun Lee & Young Cheol Yoon

  2. Department of Radiology, Chungang University Hospital, Chungang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Jee Young Jung

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University, School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Jae Chul Yoo

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  1. Ji Hyun Lee
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  2. Young Cheol Yoon
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Correspondence to Young Cheol Yoon.

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Lee, J.H., Yoon, Y.C., Jung, J.Y. et al. Rotator cuff tears noncontrast MRI compared to MR arthrography. Skeletal Radiol 44, 1745–1754 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2228-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2228-z

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