ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical importance of effusion in bicipital tendon sheath and the change of ultrasonographic findings according to the treatment. METHOD: Thirty patients with hemiplegia, clinically diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis in hemiplegic shoulder, were investigated. To confirm the location and existence of effusion and to measure the largest diameter and cross sectional area (CSA) of bicipital tendon sheath, the longitudinal and transverse scan of the shoulder were used. Each patient was treated with a series of three intraarticular injections with triamcinolone under ultrasonographic guidance. After each intraarticular injection, the diameter and CSA of bicipital tendon sheath, and passive range of motion of the affected shoulder were measured and compared to the unaffected side. RESULTS: The initial ultrasonographic examination showed increased amount of effusion in the affected bicipital tendon sheath compared to the unaffected side (p<0.01). After intraarticular injection, the amount of effusion was decreased (p<0.01) and passive range of motion of the shoulder was increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The ultrasonographic evaluation of effusion in the bicipital tendon sheath, and interval change of effusion according to the treatment, can be useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up of adhesive capsulitis in hemiplegic shoulder.