Rim rent tear of rotator cuff

A rim rent tear of the rotator cuff, also known as partial articular surface tendon avulsion (PASTA), is a specific subtype of partial-thickness rotator cuff tear that involves the articular surface footprint at the site of tendon attachment into the greater tubercle ². This sort of tear is relatively common and also can involve the infraspinatus tendon ³.

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

May be seen as an echogenic edge and a cortical defect at the footprint.

MRI

May be seen as a gap at the attachment (footprint).

History and etymology

The term “rim-rent” was first used by E A Codman in 1934 ^3-4.