What is the rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff consists of a group of four scapulohumeral muscles, which play a role in abduction and rotation of the shoulder and maintain shoulder joint stability: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor muscles and their tendons.
What is the definition of a complete rotator cuff tear?
A complete rotator cuff tear is a full-thickness or transmural tear, which extends from the articular to the bursal surface of the rotator cuff. It is usually associated with increased amounts of fluid in the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa.
Which part of the rotator cuff is most commonly affected by a full-thickness tear?
The supraspinatus tendon.
Findings:
Acromioclavicular joint:
- low lying acromion
- small anterior acromial spur
Subacromial-subdeltoid bursa:
- an increased amount of fluid and also fluid within the anterior part of the bursa
Glenohumeral joint:
- mild shoulder joint effusion
Rotator cuff:
- full-thickness/transmural, U-shaped tear of the distal supraspinatus tendon (10 x 20 mm)
- possible extension into the focally thickened distal superior infraspinatus tendon
- focal high signal within the inferior distal subscapularis tendon
- unremarkable teres minor tendon
Muscles:
- no significant atrophy, negative tangent sign
- no fatty degeneration
Rotator Intervall and long head of the biceps tendon:
- mild linear signal alteration of the suprahumeral part of the long head of the biceps tendon
- normal location/course within the bicipital groove
- some fluid within the synovial sheath
- unremarkable coracohumeral and superior glenoid ligaments
Bones:
-
erosions/cystic changes of the lateral aspect of the greater tuberosity
Impression:
Rotator cuff tear with medium size full-thickness tear of the distal supraspinatus tendon (Patte grade 1) with extension posteriorly into the superior infraspinatus tendon.
No significant atrophy or fatty degeneration of the muscle.
Tendinosis of the inferior subscapularis tendon.