Sonographic differences in the appearance of acute and chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears

This study was undertaken to identify differences in the sonographic appear ance of acute and chronic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. The ultrasonog rams of 24 patients with an acute rotator cuff tear and 20 with a chronic t ear were reviewed for tear size (width), location, and the presence and dis tribution of fluid. Among these 24 patients, 75% with a mid-substance tear location had an acute tear; 64% of patients with joint or bursal fluid had an acute tear; 80% of patients with a nonvisualized rotator cuff due to a m assive tear had a chronic tear; and 73% of patients with no sonographic evi dence of bursal or joint fluid had a chronic tear. In conclusion, a mid-sub stance location and the presence of joint or bursal fluid were more commonl y associated with an acute tear. A nonvisualized cuff and the absence of jo int and bursal fluid were more commonly observed with a chronic tear.