The shoulder in a production line: clinical and ultrasound study / O ombro em uma linha de produção: estudo clínico e ultrassonográfico

INTRODUÇÃO: A correlação entre dor no ombro, exame físico e ultrassonografias anormais é controversa no cenário ocupacional. OBJETIVO: Estabelecer a associação entre dor, exame físico e ultrassonografia em trabalhadores de uma indústria farmacêutica. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Cem trabalhadores foram convidados a participar do estudo e submetidos aos critérios de inclusão e exclusão; 93 foram incluídos neste estudo. Todos assinaram termo de consentimento e tiveram exame físico realizado por um dos autores. O exame ultrassonográfico foi realizado, no máximo, após um mês do exame físico por um operador experiente, que desconhecia o quadro clínico. RESULTADOS: houve correlação estatística entre dor e manobras clínicas, em 57 ombros, para o tendão supraespinhal (SE) (P = 0,000), e nenhuma correlação com as manobras para o tendão do bíceps (P > 0,05). Na comparação entre os achados clínicos e a ultrassonografia, as manobras de Neer, Hawkins e Jobe tiveram associação estatística (P < 0,05). A associação entre dor e ultrassonografia alterada foi estatisticamente significativa (16 dentre 57 ombros com dor, com P < 0,05), porém houve falsa-positividade significativa de achados ultrassonográficos em ombros assintomáticos (sete ombros). CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico preciso é um processo complexo que requer a associação de anamnese clínica e ocupacional, exame físico acurado e ultrassonografia realizada por um operador experiente.

INTRODUCTION: The correlation among shoulder pain, abnormal physical examination and ultrasonography is controversial in the occupational scenario. OBJECTIVE: Establish the association between pain, physical examination and ultrasounds in workers of a pharmaceutical industry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred workers were invited to take part in the study and submitted to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 93 were included. All enrolled patients gave written informed consent, and had a physical examination performed by one of the authors. Ultrasound examination was performed, at the latest one month of the physical examination, by an experienced operator who was blind to the clinical setting. RESULTS: There was statistical correlation between pain and clinical maneuvers in 57 shoulders for supraspinatus tendon (SE) (P = 0,000) and no correlation with biceps tendon maneuvers (P > 0,05). In the comparison between clinical findings and ultrasonography, the maneuvers of Neer, Hawkins and Jobe had statistical association (P < 0,05). The association between pain and altered ultrasonography was statistically significant (16 among 57 individuals with pain, with P < 0,05), but there was significant false-positive ultrasound findings in asymptomatic shoulders (7 individuals). CONCLUSION: The precise diagnosis is a complex process, which requires the association of clinical and occupational anamnesis, accurate physical examination and ultrasonography performed by an experienced operator.

The Usefulness and Indications of Arthrosonography to Differentiate Full-thickness Tears from Partial-thickness Tears of the Rotator Cuff

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the usefulness and indications of arthrosonography by testing if the new technique could provide additional information on the degrees of rotator cuff tears when compaired to the findings of conventional ultrasonographic examinations. METHOD: Thirty six patients, who were identified to have partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears by conventional ultrasonography, were included. Intraarticular injection of 15 ml of fluid was performed via posterior approach under ultrasound-guidance, which was followed by arthrosonography. RESULTS: Among 26 patients with partial-thickness tear which was detected by the conventional ultrasonography, eight were identified to have full-thickness tears by the arthrosonography. Although the difference was not significant, the grade 3 partial-thickness tear in the conventional sonography had a higher rate of being identified as full- thickness tear in the arthrosonography than the grade 2 partial-thickness tears. The size of partial-thickness tear was increased after instillation of fluid in the arthrosonography. CONCLUSION: Arthrosonography would be useful in differentiating partial- and full-thickness tears. When a tear of the rotator cuff tendon, especially a grade 3 partial-thickness tear, is detected in the conventional sonographic examination, an obscured full-thickness tear should be suspected and subsequent arthrosonographic procedure could be administered to clarify the extent of the lesion. Moreover, arthrosonography might be helpful in detecting partial-thickness tears by making them appear larger after instillation of fluid.