Morphological and Radiological Parameters Correlating to Shoulder Function at Diagnosis for Patients with Rotator Cuff Tear (RCT)

Abstract : Background The MRI parameters used to diagnose rotator cuff tears are weakly correlated to shoulder function. Our hypothesis is that adding 3D morphological parameters resulting from biplanar X-Rays (3DXR parameters) to the MRI parameters will improve this correlation. Methods Fifty-two patients suffering from a rotator cuff tear were assessed with an EOSTM radiographic examination, an MRI, a clinical evaluation and a Constant score of the shoulder. The bones of the 52 shoulders were reconstructed in 3D, and 11 3DXR parameters were automatically extracted. First, the trueness and reliability of these parameters were evaluated. Then, bivariate correlations between each parameter and the Constant score were made. A linear regression model was then built to correlate the 11 parameters and 5 MRI findings with shoulder function at diagnosis, as assessed by the Constant score. Results The parameters showed good trueness and reliability for most 3DXR parameters. Supraspinatus tear extension, muscle atrophy and the distance between the greater and the deltoid tuberosities were the only parameters with a statistically significant correlation to a lower Constant score (p Conclusion For patients with a rotator cuff tear, the combination MRI and 3DXR parameters of the shoulder in a linear regression model improves correlation with the Constant score (shoulder function) at diagnosis.