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Cross-sectional areas of rotator cuff muscles in males without tears on shoulder MRI

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Abstract

Objective

To establish reference values of rotator cuff (RC) cross sectional area (CSA) in males.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed shoulder MRIs from 500 patients aged 13-78 years, grouped as follows (N=100 in each): <20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, >50 years. All examinations were reviewed to exclude prior surgery, tears, or significant RC pathology. We segmented a standardized T1 sagittal MR image in each case to obtain CSA of supraspinatus (SUP), infraspinatus/teres minor (INF), and subscapularis (SUB) muscles. Across age groups, we recorded individual and total muscle CSA. We also performed ratios between individual muscle CSA and total CSA to examine total muscle mass contribution over age groups. We tested for differences between age groups controlled for BMI.

Results

CSAs for SUP, INF, SUB, and total RC CSA were lower in subjects >50 years compared to all other groups (P<0.003 for all comparisons), persisting after controlling for BMI (P<0.03). Relative contribution of SUP CSA to total RC CSA was stable across age groups (P>0.32). INF CSA relative to total RC CSA increased with age, whereas SUB decreased (P<0.005). Subjects >50 years showed lower SUP (-15%), INF (-6%), and SUB (-21%) CSA, when compared to mean CSAs of all subjects <50 years. Total RC CSA significantly correlated with age (r=-0.34, P<0.001), persisting after controlling for BMI (r=-0.42, P<0.001).

Conclusion

RC muscles in male subjects with no tears on MRI show decreasing CSA with age, independent of BMI.

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Abbreviations

CSA:

cross-sectional area

INF:

infraspinatus / teres minor

RC:

rotator cuff

SUB:

subscapularis

SUP:

supraspinatus

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Funding

This study has not received any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Marilyn E. Galdamez, Florian A. Huber, Colleen G. Buckless & Martin Torriani

  2. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Florian A. Huber

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery-Sports Medicine Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Giovanna Medina, Michael D. Galetta & Luke S. Oh

  4. Rothman Orthopaedics & AdventHealth Orthopaedic Institute, Orlando, FL, USA

    Luke S. Oh

Authors
  1. Marilyn E. Galdamez
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  2. Florian A. Huber
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  3. Colleen G. Buckless
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  4. Giovanna Medina
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  5. Michael D. Galetta
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  6. Luke S. Oh
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  7. Martin Torriani
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Correspondence to Martin Torriani.

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Marilyn E. Galdamez and Florian A. Huber shared first authorship.

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Galdamez, M.E., Huber, F.A., Buckless, C.G. et al. Cross-sectional areas of rotator cuff muscles in males without tears on shoulder MRI. Skeletal Radiol 53, 285–291 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-023-04400-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-023-04400-w

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