ABSTRACT
To determine the role of ultrasound [US] in Rotator cuff pathologies and to correlate the accuracy of Ultrasonography [USG] findings in rotator cuff pathologies with b Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It was a Descriptive study. Study was conducted in Department of Radiology, PNS Shifa Karachi, where Grey Scale as well as Color Doppler USG and Fluoroscopy was available. However the facilities of MRI were utilized from other Radiology departments in Karachi; namely, National Medical Centre [NMC], Advanced Radiology Clinic [ARC] and Agha Khan University Hospital [AKUH] on referral basis. The study involved 50 patients of both sexes between 15-60 years of age who presented with shoulder pain and stiffness, in out-patient departments or admitted in surgical/orthopedic wards. They were referred to the Radiology department PNS Shifa for X-Rays and US shoulder. All of them were followed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Patients were 32 males and 18 females of more than 15 years of age. Rotator cuff tears were suggested on US by finding thinning or absence of cuff, by hyper or hypo echoic areas in cuff and by criteria of the abnormal cuff-bursa interface. Out of 50 patients 35 patients were diagnosed on US, as having rotator cuff tears while 15 patients were reported normal. 21 out of 35 patients were having full thickness tear while 14 had partial thickness tears. When MRI was conducted in these patients, it showed 39 rotator cuff tears out of 50 patients while 11 patient
ere diagnosed as normal. 26 out of 39 patients were having full thickness tears while 13 had partial thickness tears. Ultrasound had high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and accuracy. We conclude that MRI and US are both sensitive in detection of abnormalities of the rotator cuff. In our set up; Ultrasound is an accurate, non invasive and economic mode of investigation for diagnosing rotator cuff pathologies