Intraosseous migration of supraspinatus tendinous calcification

Case contributed by Domenico Nicoletti
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Intense acute shoulder pain and functional disability.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Male

MRI shoulder

Calcific enthesopathy in the insertion site of the supraspinatus tendon where one of these has migrated into the cortical bone of the greater tuberosity.

 

Case Discussion

A complication of calcifying tendinitis is the migration of calcium deposits from the supraspinatus tendon into the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa or into the humeral head.

More often, the penetration of calcium (hydroxyapatite crystals) into the cortical bone occurs at the level of the greater tuberosity where there are signs of calcific tendinopathy of the supraspinatus. Cortical erosions and intraosseous migration of calcifications associated with calcific supraspinatus tendinopathy can enter into the differential diagnosis with tumors and infections.

This complication is responsible for intense pain and functional limitation.

Acknowledgment: Prof. Fabio Denicolò.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.