Associated Sonographic Findings according to the Type and Severity of Rotator Cuff Tear

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between the type and severity of rotator cuff tear and ultrasonographic findings. METHOD: Total 91 cases with rotator cuff tear were classified into partial- or full-thickness tear according to arthrographic and ultrasonographic findings. Partial-thickness tear was divided into the tear on the bursal or articular side. Full-thickness tear was divided into small (2 cm<) or large (2 cm?) tear by the length of retraction. Combined findings which included biceps tenosynovitis, subacromial-subdeltoid (SASD) bursitis, acromio-clavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis and the cortical irregularity of greater tubercle (GT) were evaluated by ultrasonography. RESULTS: Sixty five cases (71.9%) were full-thickness tear and 26 cases (28.1%) were partial-thickness tear. Forty two cases (46.1%) were SASD bursitis, 33 cases (36.2%) were biceps tenosynovitis, 24 cases (26.3%) were cortical irregularity of GT, and 26 cases (28.5%) were AC joint osteoarthritis. The incidence of SASD bursitis was higher in full- thickness tear than partial-thickness tear. The SASD bursitis and cortical irregularity of GT were more frequently shown in large tear than small tear. CONCLUSION: SASD bursitis showed higher association with full-thickness tear than partial-thickness tear. The length of retraction was more severe when SASD bursitis or cortical irregularity of GT was associated with full-thickness tear.

Tuberculous Subdeltoid Bursitis with Rice Bodies

A 41-year-old woman with a 2-month history of diffused swelling and persistent dull pain in her right shoulder was examined. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed subdeltoid bursitis and rice bodies with normal surrounding tissue and shoulder joint. Arthoscopic debridement and biopsy of the subdeltoid bursa were performed. Histologic examination of the bursal tissue showed granulomatous tissue with typical caseous necrosis. A positive culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis. We report on the clinical, radiological and athological findings in a patient with tuberculous subdeltoid bursitis accompanied by multiple rice body formation without coexisting active bone and joint tuberculosis, and conduct a literature review.