PURPOSE: Evaluation of MRI in radiotherapy of humeroscapular periarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with humeroscapular periarthritis prospectively underwent MRI before radiotherapy. RESULTS: Six months after radiotherapy, 34% of the patients had achieved complete pain relief, 35% major pain relief. Twenty percent had only slight improvement and 12% no improvement. Positive correlation of radiotherapy outcome and MRI findings could be shown for acute tendinitis, erosions, and complete and incomplete ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of humeroscapular periarthritis. The indication can be improved using MRI.
PURPOSE: Evaluation of MRI in radiotherapy of humeroscapular periarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven patients with humeroscapular periarthritis prospectively underwent MRI before radiotherapy. RESULTS: Six months after radiotherapy, 34% of the patients had achieved complete pain relief, 35% major pain relief. Twenty percent had only slight improvement and 12% no improvement. Positive correlation of radiotherapy outcome and MRI findings could be shown for acute tendinitis, erosions, and complete and incomplete ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of humeroscapular periarthritis. The indication can be improved using MRI.