Acromion Morphology in Coronal and Sagittal Plane; Correlation with Rotator Cuff Syndrome

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We evaluated the correlation of the anatomic parameters of the acromion those represent on the magnetic resonance image (MRI) of impingement syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June, 2004 to December, 2005, 71 cases were surgically proven to be impingement syndrome, and the anterior acromial hooking angle, the lateral acromial hooking angle (AAHA and LAHA) and the acromial hooking index (AHI the sum of the AAHA and LAHA) were compared to 16 control cases. At the same period, 55 cases were surgically proven to be partial or full thickness rotator cuff tear, and age, gender and twelve anatomic parameters, including the acromial type, the acromial angle, the anterior covering, the acromial slope, the AAHA, the lateral acromial angle, the acromial torsional angle, the lateral acromial angulation, the LAHA, the lateral covering, the acromiohumeral distance and the AHI were assessed. RESULTS: The AAHA and AHI were increased as impingement syndrome proceeded. The acromial type and acromial angle, and the AAHA, LAHA and AHI showed significant differences between the controls and the rotator cuff tear patients on univariant analysis. On multivariant analysis, gender was most strongly correlated with rotator cuff tear. Age, AAHA and the acromial angle showed similar correlation, respectively. CONCLUSION: The coronal acromial shape is correlated with rotator cuff tear, and it is important to correct the lateral acromial shape when performing acromioplasty.