Rotator cuff imaging using bursography coupled to helical computed arthrotomography

Objective. To describe a rotator cuff imaging method with high sensitivity for the detection of partial tears of the superficial surface of the rotato r cuff. Patients and methods. 33 patients with shoulder pain and no convent ional arthrography evidence of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were inve stigated by bursography coupled with helical computed arthrotomography. Nin e subsequently underwent surgery or bursoscopy. Results. Helical computed a rthrotomography disclosed an abnormality of the superficial surface of the rotator cuff in 15 patients (45.5%). In the nine patients who had surgery o r bursoscopy, findings from this investigation were consistent with those f rom bursography plus helical computed tomography. Conclusion. Bursography c oupled with helical computed tomography may be of assistance for the diagno sis of lesions of the superficial cuff surface, which often escape detectio n by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.