Association of intramuscular cysts of the rotator cuff with tears of the rotator cuff: Magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical significance

Cystic lesions that arise adjacent to the shoulder have been reported in as sociation with labral tears or as an unusual manifestation of massive rotat or cuff tears. The purpose of this study was to define the relationship bet ween intramuscular cysts of the rotator cuff and tears of the rotator cuff Thirteen cases of intramuscular cysts of the rotator cuff were identified o n magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder and analyzed retrospectively a long with the clinical data. Surgical findings were retrospectively reviewe d in 5 patients who underwent follow-up arthroscopy. This series shows that intramuscular cysts of the rotator cuff are associated with small, full-th ickness tears or partial undersurface tears of the rotator cuff. These cyst s are easily identified on T2-weighted sequences and, when present, should always prompt a thorough search for associated rotator rub pathology.