[The role of ultrasonography in evaluation of pathomorphological changes in humeroscapular periarthritis]

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present the distribution and representation of shoulder ultrasonographic (US) examination findings in patients with diagnosis of humeroscapular periarthritis. US examination findings in 141 patients, that is 147 symptomatic shoulders with diagnosis of humeroscapular periarthritis, were evaluated retrospectively. Outcomes of ultrasonography were distributed in groups by anatomical location, US examination finding and age. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Out of 147 analyzed shoulders, 87 (59.2%) were positive and 60 (40.8%) were negative upon US examination. The most frequent US abnormalities were detected in a supraspinatus tendon (55.3%), followed by long head of the biceps tendon (15.2%), bursitis (12.6%), subscapularis tendinitis (10.6%) and infraspinatus tendinitis (0.7%). The highest number of US abnormalities, as well as negative ultrasonographies, were detected at the age 40 to 65. The least negative US examination findings were at age over 65, where also the highest number of supraspinatus tears were detected. Due to high specificity and sensitivity in the evaluation of the rotator cuff, subacromial bursa and long head of the biceps tendon changes, ultrasound is a reliable method for evaluation of patients with painful shoulder. Its availability, noninvasivity and relatively low cost make it a method of choice for inital evaluation of such patients. Detailed history and clinical examination are going to lessen inadequate medical requests for ultrasonography.