Rotator cuff imaging using bursography coupled to helical computed arthrotomography.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a rotator cuff imaging method with high sensitivity for the detection of partial tears of the superficial surface of the rotator cuff. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 33 patients with shoulder pain and no conventional arthrography evidence of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were investigated by bursography coupled with helical computed arthrotomography. Nine subsequently underwent surgery or bursoscopy. RESULTS: Helical computed arthrotomography disclosed an abnormality of the superficial surface of the rotator cuff in 15 patients (45.5%). In the nine patients who had surgery or bursoscopy, findings from this investigation were consistent with those from bursography plus helical computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Bursography coupled with helical computed tomography may be of assistance for the diagnosis of lesions of the superficial cuff surface, which often escape detection by ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.