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Diagnostic accuracy of 3T conventional shoulder MRI in the detection of the long head of the biceps tendon tears associated with rotator cuff tendon tears

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic performance (DP) of 3T (3 Tesla field strength) conventional shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) tears in association with rotator cuff tendon tears.

Materials and methods

This study included 80 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery for rotator cuff tendon tears. Two radiologists independently evaluated the preoperative 3T shoulder MRI for the presence of LHBT tears. The DP of MRI was evaluated using the results of arthroscopy as the reference standard. We also evaluated the DP of several MR signs of LHBT in detection of partial LHBT tears.

Results

Arthroscopic examination revealed 35 partial and 5 complete tears. According to the results of evaluation by reviewers 1 and 2, shoulder MRI exhibited sensitivities of 77.14 and 80 % and specificities of 71.11 and 73.33 % in detection of partial LHBT tears and sensitivities of 80 and 100 % and a specificity of 100% (both) in detection of complete LHBT tears. In detecting partial LHBT tears, increased T2 signal intensity of the LHBT exhibited high sensitivities (reviewers 1 and 2; 82.85 and 80 %, respectively) and the presence of intratendinous defects or C-signs exhibited the highest specificities (reviewers 1 and 2; 95.55 and 93.33 %, respectively), followed by abnormalities in shape and outer margins of the LHBT (reviewers 1 and 2; 91.11 and 82 %; 91.11 and 86.66 %, respectively).

Conclusion

Non-contrast-enhanced 3T shoulder MRI is potentially highly accurate in detection of complete LHBT tears, but moderately accurate in detection of partial LHBT tears.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Asan Foundation, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, 38, Bangdong-gil, Sacheon-Myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25440, South Korea

    Ro Woon Lee, Soo-Jung Choi, Jae Hong Ahn, Dong Rock Shin & Chae Hoon Kang

  2. Department of Radiology, Andong Medical Center, 55, Taesa 2-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 36694, South Korea

    Man Ho Lee

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Asan Foundation, Gangneung Asan Hospital, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, 38, Bangdong-gil, Sacheon-Myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, 25440, South Korea

    Ki Won Lee

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  1. Ro Woon Lee
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Correspondence to Soo-Jung Choi.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the institutional review board, which waived the requirement for informed patient consent.

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Lee, R.W., Choi, SJ., Lee, M.H. et al. Diagnostic accuracy of 3T conventional shoulder MRI in the detection of the long head of the biceps tendon tears associated with rotator cuff tendon tears. Skeletal Radiol 45, 1705–1715 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-016-2501-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-016-2501-9

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