3.0-T MRI of the supraspinatus tendon

Abstract

Objective: MRI of the shoulder has been found to be highly sensitive and specific for detection of full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears at 1.5-T or lower field strength compared with arthroscopy. MRI of the shoulder at 3.0 T has not been specifically assessed. This study assesses the sensitivity and specificity of MRI at 3.0 T for supraspinatus tendon tears compared with arthroscopy.

Materials and methods: Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively reviewed MR images of the shoulder in 150 consecutive patients who had subsequent arthroscopy. All patients had oblique coronal and sagittal T1-weighted and fat-saturated T2-weighted axial, oblique coronal, and sagittal imaging performed. The radiologists interpreted the MR images by consensus without knowledge of the arthroscopy results. Scans were interpreted for full-thickness or partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears. If partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears were seen on MRI, the reviewers noted whether the partial-thickness tear was articular or bursal in location. The radiologists also separated the supraspinatus tendon tears into small (< 1 cm retraction from the humeral head) and large (> 1 cm retraction from the humeral head). All 150 patients went on to arthroscopy. After consensus review of the MR images, arthroscopy results were compared with consensus MR interpretations.

Results: Ninety-eight of the 150 patients had full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears at arthroscopy. Twenty-six of the 150 patients had partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears. Seventeen of these 26 partial-thickness tears were along the articular surface and nine were along the bursal surface. Ninety-six of 98 full-thickness tears seen at arthroscopy were seen on consensus MRI interpretation. All 26 partial-thickness tears seen at arthroscopy were seen at consensus MR interpretation; however, two of the partial-thickness articular surface tears seen at arthroscopy were interpreted as full-thickness tears on consensus MRI interpretation. Twenty-eight of the 98 full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears were small tears (< 1 cm retraction from the humeral head) on arthroscopy. Two of these 28 small tears seen on arthroscopy were not seen on consensus MRI interpretation. Twenty-six patients had intact supraspinatus tendons on both retrospective consensus MRI interpretation and at arthroscopy.

Conclusion: MRI of the shoulder at 3.0 T is highly sensitive and specific compared with arthroscopy in the detection of full-thickness and partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears.