Zeitschrift für Orthopädie und ihre Grenzgebiete
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Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb · Jul 1996
[Proton spin tomography imaging of the rotator cuff in calcific tendinitis of the shoulder].
An analysis of the MR-images of 75 patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder was performed. The aim of the study was to recognize characteristic findings of the calcific deposits and their relation to the involved tendons as well as the coincidence with additional degenerative alterations of the rotator cuff. The calcifications can be demonstrated with high accuracy (> 95%) in T1-weighted images as areas of decreased signal intensity. ⋯ Analysing two perpendicular planes the calcifications can be assigned to the corresponding anatomical structure. 83 percent were located in the supraspinatus tendon above the humeral head or in the superior part of the subscapularis tendon. Degenerative areas of the rotator cuff are demonstrated as small zones of increased signal intensity, abnormal morphology or discontinuity of the tendon. Only in one patient a partial tear could be found; 11 percent showed variable signs of degenerative alteration of the involved tendon.