Ultrasonography of rotator cuff tear after shoulder trauma

Objective To study the ultrasonographic characteristics of rotator cuff tear after shoulder trauma,and to evaluate the value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear.Methods Thirty-three patients suspected as rotator cuff tear in acute injuries were detected by ultrasound.Sonographic examinations were compared with surgery,arthrography or MRI.Results Sonographic characteristics include: invisibility of the cuff,focal defect of the rotator cuff,focal abnormal echogenicity within the cuff,focal thinned cuff.The sensitivity of sonography in detecting rotator cuff tear was 92% (22/24),the specificity was 82% (9/11),and the accuracy was 94% (31/33).Conclusions Sonography is the preferred examination method in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear.