INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff tears are a common pathology, with a varied prevalence reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A literature review was undertaken to determine the cadaveric and radiological (ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) prevalence of rotator cuff tear. The radiological studies were subdivided into symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. RESULTS: Cadaveric rotator cuff tears were found in 4629 shoulders of which only 2553 met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of full-thickness tears was 11.75% and partial thickness 18.49% (total tears 30.24%). The total tear rate in ultrasound asymptomatic was 38.9% and ultrasound symptomatic 41.4%. The total rate in MRI asymptomatic was 26.2% whilst MRI symptomatic was 49.4%. DISCUSSION: The unselected cadaveric population should contain both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. A prevalence of tears between the symptomatic and asymptomatic radiological groups would be expected. However, apart from the MRI asymptomatic group, the radiological prevalence of rotator cuff tears exceeds the cadaveric. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff tears are frequently asymptomatic. Tears demonstrated during radiological investigation of the shoulder may be asymptomatic. It is important to correlate radiological and clinical findings in the shoulder.
INTRODUCTION: Rotator cuff tears are a common pathology, with a varied prevalence reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A literature review was undertaken to determine the cadaveric and radiological (ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) prevalence of rotator cuff tear. The radiological studies were subdivided into symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. RESULTS: Cadaveric rotator cuff tears were found in 4629 shoulders of which only 2553 met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of full-thickness tears was 11.75% and partial thickness 18.49% (total tears 30.24%). The total tear rate in ultrasound asymptomatic was 38.9% and ultrasound symptomatic 41.4%. The total rate in MRI asymptomatic was 26.2% whilst MRI symptomatic was 49.4%. DISCUSSION: The unselected cadaveric population should contain both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. A prevalence of tears between the symptomatic and asymptomatic radiological groups would be expected. However, apart from the MRI asymptomatic group, the radiological prevalence of rotator cuff tears exceeds the cadaveric. CONCLUSIONS: Rotator cuff tears are frequently asymptomatic. Tears demonstrated during radiological investigation of the shoulder may be asymptomatic. It is important to correlate radiological and clinical findings in the shoulder.
Authors: M Rafii; H Firooznia; O Sherman; J Minkoff; J Weinreb; C Golimbu; R Gidumal; R Schinella; K Zaslav Journal: Radiology Date: 1990-12 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: V Chandnani; C Ho; J Gerharter; C Neumann; S Kursunoglu-Brahme; D J Sartoris; D Resnick Journal: Clin Imaging Date: 1992 Jan-Mar Impact factor: 1.605
Authors: Yebin Jiang; Jenny Zhao; Marnix T van Holsbeeck; Michael J Flynn; Xiaolong Ouyang; Harry K Genant Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2002-07-13 Impact factor: 2.199
Authors: P B de Witte; P van der Zwaal; E R A van Arkel; R G H H Nelissen; J H de Groot Journal: Med Biol Eng Comput Date: 2013-07-06 Impact factor: 2.602
Authors: Sambit Sahoo; Eric T Ricchetti; Alexander Zajichek; Peter J Evans; Lutul D Farrow; Brett W McCoy; Morgan H Jones; Anthony A Miniaci; Vani J Sabesan; Mark S Schickendantz; William H Seitz; Kurt P Spindler; Kim L Stearns; Greg Strnad; Alparslan Turan; Vahid Entezari; Peter B Imrey; Joseph P Iannotti; Kathleen A Derwin Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2019-12-18 Impact factor: 6.202
Authors: Andrew J K Ostör; Christine A Richards; Graham Tytherleigh-Strong; Philip W Bearcroft; A Toby Prevost; Cathy A Speed; Brian L Hazleman Journal: Clin Rheumatol Date: 2013-05-02 Impact factor: 2.980