MR-IMAGING OF THE ROTATOR CUFF WITH CALCI FYING TENDINITIS

An analysis of the MR-images of 75 patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder was performed. The aim of the study was to recognice characteristic findings of the calcific deposits and their relation to the involved tendons as well as the coincidence with additional degen erative alterations of the rotator cuff. The calcifications can be dem onstrated with high accuracy (>95 %) in T1-weighted images as areas of decreased signal intensity. It is possible to characterice the calcif ications similar to Gartner's radiologic classification differentiatin g form and density of the calcific deposits as well as their delimitat ion to the tendon structure. In T2-images there frequently is a perifo cal band of increased signal intensity which can be identified as an o edema around the calcification. Analysing two perpendicular planes the calcifications can de assigned to the corresponding anatomical struct ure. 83 percent were located in the supraspinatus tendon above the hum eral head or in the superior part of the subscapularis tendon. Degener ative areas of the rotator cuff are demonstrated as small zones of inc reased signal intensity, abnormal morphology or discontinuity of the t endon. Only in one patient a partial tear could be found; II percent s howed variable signs of degenerative alteration of the involved tendon .