In Vivo Visualization of Vascular Patterns of Rotator Cuff Tears Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound:

BackgroundHypoxia and decreased blood supply have been proposed as risks for tendon rupture. Visualization of the vascularity of intact and torn rotator cuffs would be useful for improving treatments for rotator cuff tear.PurposeTo assess vascularity inside a tendon or an adjacent rotator cuff insertion point in patients differing in age and extent of damage to the tendon.Study DesignCross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.MethodsTen volunteers (all men) and 15 patients (10 men, 5 women) consented to participate in the study. Contrast agent for enhanced ultrasound was injected intravenously. Enhanced ultrasound images of the torn cuff and the contralateral shoulder were recorded for 1 minute. Four small regions of interest, the articular and bursal sides of the tendon and the medial and lateral sides of the bursa, were studied in all shoulders.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in blood flow in the intratendinous region in elderly subjects compared with young subjects, but age had no effect on bl...