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Case Reports
. 2010 Nov 21:3:77-80.
doi: 10.4137/CMAMD.S3172.

Xanthomatous infiltration of the rotator cuff and long head of biceps with rotator cuff tear in a patient with mixed hyperlipidemia: a case report with MRI imaging

Shelley S Bath  1 , Shaun Bath, Jamshid Tehranzahdeh
Affiliations
Case Reports

Xanthomatous infiltration of the rotator cuff and long head of biceps with rotator cuff tear in a patient with mixed hyperlipidemia: a case report with MRI imaging

Shelley S Bath et al. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Xanthomatous infiltration may rarely affect the rotator cuff muscles and long head of the biceps tendon. It is the deposition of cholesterol within the rotator cuff muscles and long head of the biceps tendon resulting from hyperlipidemia, specifically high triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. As more commonly seen with xanthomatous infiltration and tear of the Achilles tendon, there may also be an association with rotator cuff tendon deposition and tear. MRI images of xanthomatous infiltration with rotator cuff tear in a 77 year old man with hyperlipidemia are detailed in the following case report.

Keywords: achilles; hyperlipidemia; magnetic resonance imaging; rotator cuff; xanthoma.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(T2WI) in the axial plane shows a thickened subscapularis with abnormal inceased signal. (white arrow)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
(T2WI) in the sagittal plane demonstrates diffuse thickening with increased signal within the supraspinatus (large arrow) and infraspinatus (small arrow).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(T2WI) in the axial plane displays a stipled pattern of increased signal, interspersed with dots of low signal within a grossly thickened long head of biceps tendon (white arrow). Notice the tear within the distal subscapularis (black arrow). The long head of the biceps remains within the bicipital groove.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
A) (T2WI) and B) (T1WI) in the coronal planes demonstrate a thickened supraspinatus tendon measuring 1.0 cm, with wavy increased T1 and T2 signal (white arrow). There is also complete tear of supraspinatus (black arrow) with myotendinous retraction to the glenoid.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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