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Comparative Study between Multi-slice Computed Tomographic Arthrography and Arthroscopy in the Evaluation of Rotator Cuff Tears* * Study developed at Hospital Português da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. Originally published by Elsevier Ltda.

Abstract

Objective

To compare the imaging findings of anatomical alterations using multi-slice computed tomographic arthrography in the evaluation of rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, correlating them with the arthroscopy (the gold standard diagnostic test) findings.

Materials and Methods

A longitudinal, prospective, comparative study of diagnostic accuracy performed in the period between June 2016 and June 2017 in patients of both sexes, aged between 40 and 70 years, with shoulder rotator cuff tendon tears and therapeutic need to undergo shoulder arthroscopy. Patients with contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging were included. After multi-slice computed tomographic arthrography, all patients underwent arthroscopy.

Results

To obtain the results, the following parameters were determined: sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Kappa coefficient, and contrast between the imaging method and arthroscopy.

Conclusion

In the impossibility of performing magnetic resonance imaging (the gold standard imaging technique), multi-slice computed tomographic arthrography is an imaging examination capable of evaluating/diagnosing rotator cuff tears.

Keywords
arthrography/methods; rotator cuff; shoulder injuries/classification; arthroscopy

Resumo

Objetivo

Comparar os achados por imagem das alterações anatômicas da artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice na avaliação das lesões do manguito rotador do ombro e correlacioná-los com os achados da artroscopia (exame diagnóstico padrão-ouro).

Materiais e Métodos

Estudo longitudinal, prospectivo, comparativo de acurácia diagnóstica, feito de junho de 2016 a junho de 2017, em pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 40 e 70 anos, com lesão dos tendões do manguito rotador do ombro, e que tinham necessidade terapêutica de fazer artroscopia do ombro. Foram incluídos pacientes com contraindicação à realização de ressonância magnética. Após a artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice, todos os pacientes foram submetidos a artroscopia.

Resultados

Para a obtenção dos resultados, os seguintes parâmetros foram considerados: sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo, coeficiente Kappa, e contraposição do método de imagem com a artroscopia.

Conclusão

Na impossibilidade da realização da ressonância magnética (exame de imagem padrão-ouro), a artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice se mostra um exame de imagem capaz de avaliar/diagnosticar as lesões do manguito rotador.

Palavras-chave
artrografia/métodos; manguito rotador; lesões do ombro/classificação; artroscopia

Introduction

Lesions that affect the rotator cuff are among the most frequent causes of shoulder pain, which are likely to generate marked functional impotence.11 Ellman H, Kay SP. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for chronic impingement. Two- to five-year results. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1991;73(03):395-398

2 Veado MAC, Fonseca RMF. O ombro do nadador veterano. Rev Bras Ortop 1992;27:686-690
-33 Farin PU, Kaukanen E, Jaroma H, Vaatainen U, Miettinen H, Soimakallio S. Site and size of rotator-cuff tear. Findings at ultrasound, double-contrast arthrography, and computed tomography arthrography with surgical correlation. Invest Radiol 1996; 31(07):387-394 These lesions represent a spectrum of diseases ranging from acute tendonitis to extensive injury, compromising all of the anatomical components of the shoulder. In addition to its high prevalence, which ranges from 7% to 40%, it is also known that this disorder increases in direct proportion with advancing age.44 Waldt S, Bruegel M, Mueller D, et al. Rotator cuff tears: assessment with MR arthrography in 275 patients with arthroscopic correlation. Eur Radiol 2007;17(02):491-498

The rotator cuff acts to dynamically stabilize and balance the humeral head with respect to the glenoid, while the axial muscle group (deltoid and pectoralis major etc.) acts to move the humerus: rupture of the rotator cuff can easily lead to loss of function of the shoulder 55 Meislin RJ, Sperling JW, Stitik TP. Persistent shoulder pain: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis. Am J Orthop 2005;34(12, Suppl)5-9,66 Andrade RP, Filho MRCC, Queiroz BC. Lesões do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 2004;39(11/12):621-636 in varying degrees.

The age, symptoms and level of activity of the patient directly influence the treatment, as well as the presence of other associated abnormalities, such as labral, cartilage and bone lesions.77 Bedi A, Dines J, Warren RF, Dines DM. Massive tears of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2010;92(09):1894-1908

8 Matava MJ, Purcell DB, Rudzki JR. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Am J Sports Med 2005;33(09):1405-1417
-99 Lech O, Valenzuela Neto C, Severo A. Tratamento conservador das lesões parciais e completas do manguito rotador. Acta Ortop Bras 2000;8(03):144-156

In the assessment of the rotator cuff, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard in comparison with other imaging methods. It is an examination that captures electromagnetic waves for the definition of images of the human body.1010 McLaughlin HL. Rupture of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1962;44:979-983 Some sequences during the examination, however, make the MRI relatively time-consuming, which becomes a serious problem in the case of patients with claustrophobic “traits” or indeed claustrophobia. In addition, metal implants may be a contraindication for this test. Altered functioning of cardiac pacemakers or even displacement of brain clips and orthopedic implants are examples of this type of concern.

An optional imaging examination in the diagnosis of rotator cuff lesions of the shoulder does not exist so far. Thus, the aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of multi-slice computed tomographic arthrography (MSCTA), and the findings resulting from it regarding anatomical changes, with the arthroscopic findings in the evaluation of shoulder rotator cuff lesions. The study focused on a group of patients for whom the MRI was relatively or absolutely contraindicated.

Materials and Methods

A longitudinal, prospective, comparative study conducted from June 2016 to June 2017 with patients of both sexes, aged between 40 and 70 years, with a history and clinical findings of rotator cuff tendon injury (positive for the Jobe, Patte and Gerber tests), who had clinical and therapeutic need to undergo shoulder arthroscopy because they did not respond to the conservative treatment (analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, infiltration etc.).

Patients from the Orthopedics Service of our institution for whom the MRI was contraindicated were included, as well as patients whose physician had requested a computed tomographic arthrography (CTA) of the shoulder as an optional method of evaluation.

The exclusion criteria were: patients who underwent previous surgical procedures in the affected shoulder; and those with inability to fill out the clinical questionnaire or to comprehend the free and informed consent form (FICF), or who were not accompanied by a responsible person capable of doing so. We also excluded patients with allergies, claustrophobia, active hyperthyroidism, severe heart failure, high-grade pulmonary insufficiency, asthma, renal failure, autoimmune diseases, multiple myeloma, nephropathies with diabetes mellitus, or other serious conditions unrelated to the purpose of the study.

All patients eligible for the study were adequately informed of its objectives, risks and benefits, and they entered the protocol after being fully aware of their desire and after signing the FICF. The research began only after the protocol was evaluated and approved by the Ethics in Research Committee of the institution.

The patients were referred to the computed tomography sector for MSCTA examinations according to a clinically standardized protocol. Subsequently, all patients with indication for arthroscopic surgical treatment underwent arthroscopy in the conventional manner, without the interference of the researchers in the indication or protocol of the procedures. The orthopedic evaluation was performed by means of history research and clinical findings of rotator cuff injuries according to the criteria adopted by the attending physician. The clinical diagnostic findings were recorded in the same examination sheets that were used to plan the treatment of the rotator cuff lesion on the shoulder of the studied patient. The MSCTA of each patient was performed on a single day with the conventional technique using the Optima (GE, Chicago, IL, US) device with 128 multi-detectors. Prior to the method, the patients were submitted to arthrography as follows: a) identification of the exact point where the intra-articular needle would be introduced by fluoroscopy; b) asepsis and antisepsis of the shoulder to be examined with 2% chlorhexidine (for degermation) and 0.5% chlorhexidine (alcohol solution); c) local anesthesia with 2% xylocaine introduced through a 30 × 7 mm needle; d) introduction of a 18 or 20 Ga spinal anesthesia needle 7 cm long until reaching the glenohumeral joint guided by fluoroscopic vision; e) injection in the glenohumeral joint of 10 to 12 ml of solution with 5 ml of contrast medium diluted in 100 ml of 0.9% saline guided by fluoroscopy of computed tomography by the anterior route; f) referral of patients for imaging.

After the arthroscopy, all images of the MSCTA were analyzed again by a radiologist with more than 10 years of experience in musculoskeletal radiology, who had no access to the medical history or the results of the arthroscopy. In order to prevent flaws, the authors analyzed all of the MSCTA results separately, without patient identification.

The arthroscopies were performed in the conventional manner according to the technique, protocol and decision of the attending physician. Three small cuts were made to open the arthroscopic portals (anterior, lateral and posterior) on the shoulder of the patient. The camera to film and visualize of the surgery was located in the posterior portal, and the anterior and lateral portals served to introduce the surgical material necessary for the correction of the lesions. After the procedure, the authors of the study had access to the videos of the arthroscopies to analyze the existing anatomical lesions in each patient with their own protocol record.

We considered arthroscopy the gold standard examination, and the following parameters were determined: sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Kappa coefficient, with contrast of the MSCTA with the arthroscopy. For this purpose, 2 × 2 double-entry tables were made, with frequencies and percentages of the pairs of variables formed and their respective marginal and total values; thus, for each table, the aforementioned summary measures were calculated. The Kappa coefficient classifies the degree of agreement as: null (values lower than 0), bad (0–19), reasonable (20–39), moderate (40–59), substantial (60–79) and almost perfect (80–100).1111 Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 1977;33(01):159-174

The sociodemographic and clinical variables of the patients, as well as the findings of the MSCTA and arthroscopy, are summarized in Tables 11 Ellman H, Kay SP. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for chronic impingement. Two- to five-year results. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1991;73(03):395-398-5.

Table 1
Sociodemographic and clinical variables of patients
Table 2
Lesions found in the computed tomographic arthrography and in the arthroscopy
Table 3
Characteristics of the lesions found in the computed tomographic arthrography and in the arthroscopy
Table 4
Findings associated with rotator cuff injuries in the MSCTA and in the arthroscopy
Table 5
MSCTA - sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy and Kappa coefficient (%)

By chance, the gender distribution in this study was the same, with 15 men and 15 women with an average age of 57 years, mean weight of 68 kg, and average height of 1.64 m. The dominant limb of the patients was operated in 60% of the cases, and the diagnosis of the lesion, in most cases, took more than 12 months to be established (53.3%).

Among the clinical variables observed in the patients were claustrophobia (60%), cardiovascular diseases (53.3%), metal implants (53.3%), and diverse comorbidities (63.3%).

Results

The most common abnormality visualized in the arthroscopy was injury of the supraspinatus muscle tendon, which was also evident in the MSCTA of every patient in the study; among these abnormalities, the most commonly found was complete supraspinatus lesion, which was evident in 12 and in 15 patients by MSCTA and arthroscopy, respectively (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
Complete supraspinatus tendon injury (red arrow). A, coronal cut of the multi-slice computed tomographic arthrography (MSCTA); B, subacromial arthroscopic vision (white arrow - supraspinatus tendon; black arrow - major humerus tuberosity).

Regarding the second most common abnormality – infraspinatus muscle tendon injury – the lesion most commonly found was partial articular lesion, which was evident in eight patients by MSCTA, and in seven patients by arthroscopy.

Rotator cuff lesions were detected by arthroscopy in 27 patients, and by MSCTA in 20 patients.

With arthroscopy, supraspinatus lesions were detected in 26 patients, infraspinatus lesions in 15, and subscapular lesions in 13, while the MSCTA showed the same lesions in 20, 11 and 10 patients respectively.

The lesions were differentiated between complete, transfixing, partial bursal, partial intrasubstantial, and partial articular lesions.

Regarding the supraspinatus tendon lesions detected by MSCTA, they were complete in 12 patients; transfixing in 9; partial bursal in 1; and partial articular in 4.The infraspinatus tendon lesions were distributed as follows: complete lesion in six patients; transfixing lesion in one; and partial articular in eight patients. As for the subscapularis tendon lesions, they were complete in five patients; transfixing in one; and partial articular in seven patients (Figs. 2 e 3).

Fig. 2
Transfixing lesion of the supraspinatus tendon. A, sagittal section of the MSCTA (arrow); B, intra-articular arthroscopic view (arrow).

Fig. 3
Partial lesion of the subscapular tendon. A, axial section of the MSCTA (arrow); B, intra-articular arthroscopic view (arrow).

In the arthroscopy, the supraspinatus tendon lesions were complete in 15 patients; transfixing in 6; partial bursal in 5; and partial articular in 4 patients. Regarding the infraspinatus tendon lesions, they were complete in eight patients; transfixing in one; partial bursal in one; and partial articular in seven patients. As for the subscapularis tendon lesions, they were complete in four patients; transfixing in one; partial intrasubstantial in one; and partial articular in nine patients.

As for the findings associated with rotator cuff lesions, labral lesions (three patients), cartilage lesions (two patients) and bone lesions (eleven patients) were also identified in both the MSCTA and arthroscopy. Concerning the associated lesion of the long head of the biceps tendon, in the arthroscopy this lesion was identified in eight patients, while in the MSCTA it was identified in seven patients.

Intrasubstantial partial lesion of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons was not found by MSCTA or by arthroscopy. This lesion was identified only once in the subscapularis tendon by arthroscopy.

Injuries to the biceps anchor and the joint capsule, as well as the presence of articular loose bodies, were not observed by arthroscopy or MSCTA.

In the present study, for the purpose of calculating sensitivity and specificity, it was necessary to take a sample from a distinct group of eight patients with pathologies other than rotator cuff lesions and who also underwent MSCTA and arthroscopy.

Thus, our specificity (non-diseased patients) is not reflected at all because of the selection bias. However, the sensitivity (sick patients) represents reality perfectly.

Discussion

There are few scientific studies comparing MSCTA and arthroscopy in the evaluation of rotator cuff lesions, which makes it difficult to correlate the findings. Thus, we sought to revise several studies that discussed some anatomical structures correlated with the present study.

Rotator cuff lesions have an unknown incidence in the general population, with a high prevalence that increases with age and at around 60 years reaches an incidence close to 60%.66 Andrade RP, Filho MRCC, Queiroz BC. Lesões do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 2004;39(11/12):621-636,1212 Guimarães MV. Avaliação do tratamento conservador do pinçamento subacromial e das lesões do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 1995;30(09):645-648 In our study, the mean age of the patients was 57 years.

The dominant limb is the most frequently affected limb in rotator cuff lesions, probably due to its greater demand when compared to the opposite side.1313 Almeida A, Valin MR, Zampieri R, Almeida NC, Roveda G, Agostini AP. Análise comparativa do resultado da sutura artroscópica da lesão do manguito rotador em pacientes fumantes e não fumantes. Rev Bras Ortop 2011;46(02):172-175 We observed in our study that 60% (18 patients) of the cases affected the dominant side of the patient, which corroborates the findings in the literature.

Although our patients had a significant number of comorbidities, just as in the studies in the literature, those were not considered a negative factor for the indication of the surgical procedure and the subsequent postoperative rehabilitation.1414 Checchia SL, Santos PD, Volpe Neto F, Cury RPL. Tratamento cirúrgico das lesões completas do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 1994;29(11/12):827-836,1515 Tashjian RZ, Henn RF, Kang L, Green A. The effect of comorbidity on self-assessed function in patients with a chronic rotator cuff tear. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2004;86(02):355-362

As for other lesions (labral, cartilaginous, and bone lesions, as well as lesion of the long head of the biceps tendon) associated with those of the rotator cuff, we observed in our study that the MSCTA was able to identify them with the same precision as arthroscopy. Many authors understand that rotator cuff injury and instability with associated lesions are closely related, especially in individuals older than 60 years of age.1616 Porcellini G, Paladini P, Campi F, Paganelli M. Shoulder instability and related rotator cuff tears: arthroscopic findings and treatment in patients aged 40 to 60 years. Arthroscopy 2006;22(03):270-276

17 Mileski RA, Snyder SJ. Superior labral lesions in the shoulder: pathoanatomy and surgical management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1998;6(02):121-131

18 Voos JE, Pearle AD, Mattern CJ, Cordasco FA, Allen AA, Warren RF. Outcomes of combined arthroscopic rotator cuff and labral repair. Am J Sports Med 2007;35(07):1174-1179
-1919 Shin SJ, Yoo JC, McGarry MH, Jun BJ, Lee TQ. Anterior capsulolabral lesions combined with supraspinatus tendon tears: biomechanical effects of the pathologic condition and repair in human cadaveric shoulders. Arthroscopy 2013;29(09):1492-1497 Although we did not have any cases of associated shoulder instability among our patients, associated lesions were identified.

Even with all of the advances achieved in the field of musculoskeletal imaging, to date there is neither an established consensus regarding which imaging technique provides the best diagnostic results and follow-up of patients with shoulder rotator cuff injury, nor a standardization of the available methodologies when it is impossible to perform an MRI, which is currently considered the best imaging method for the diagnosis of this kind of lesion.

However, it is known that CTA and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) have been frequently used in the preoperative assessment of rotator cuff lesions.2020 Boissonnault WG, Badke MB, Wooden MJ, Ekedahl S, Fly K. Patient outcome following rehabilitation for rotator cuff repair surgery: the impact of selected medical comorbidities. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2007;37(06):312-319

21 de Jesus JO, Parker L, Frangos AJ, Nazarian LN. Accuracy of MRI, MR arthrography, and ultrasound inthe diagnosis of rotator cuff tears: a meta-analysis. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2009;192(06):1701-1707
-2222 Chung CB, Corrente L, Resnick D. MR arthrography ofthe shoulder. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2004;12(01):25-38, v-vi

The advantage of MRA over the conventional MRI is that the contrast fluid introduced into the joint distends it, separates the structures, and promotes a better detailing of the intracapsular structures of the shoulder, as well as a better appreciation of its complex anatomy and anatomical variations; besides that, the contrast medium enhances the structures of the joint and, consequently, enables a more clear identification of the lesions. One disadvantage is to transform a non-invasive examination into a minimally invasive, although universally tolerated, examination.2323 Gómez GFCA. Estudo comparativo entre artrotomografia computadorizada multislice e artrorressonância magnética na instabilidade do ombro correlacionadas com os achados artroscópicos. São Paulo: Departamento de Radiologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo; 2008

In a comparative study, Farley et al2424 Farley TE, Neumann CH, Steinbach LS,Jahnke AJ, Petersen SS. Fullthickness tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder: diagnosis with MR imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1992;158(02):347-351 evaluated by MRA 36 patients with partial or complete lesions of the rotator cuff, which were confirmed by the arthroscopic route. Based on the radiological observation, the diagnosis was true positive in 12 patients, true negative in 16, false positive in 3, and false negative in 5 patients. The isolated sensitivity of the MRA was of 71%, the specificity was of 84%, and the accuracy was of 78%. In our study, based on the MSCTA, we achieved findings with a better result: a sensitivity of 79.41%, a specificity of 100%, and an accuracy of 81.57%.

According to Rhee et al,2525 Rhee RB, Chan KK, Lieu JG, Kim BS, Steinbach LSMR. MR and CT arthrography of the shoulder. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2012; 16(01 ):3-14 the combined use of shoulder arthrography with magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography offers distinct advantages over conventional imaging (without the use of the articular contrast medium). Contrast medium and joint distension have improved the assessment of various joint structures and helped distinguish subtle abnormalities and normal anatomical variants. We understand that this advantage enables a better diagnostic definition and a more accurate surgical planning.

Because it is a relatively new imaging modality, MSCTA can also show changes in the articular cartilage in the shoulders through thin sections and high photon flow (200-750 mAs). The result is the possibility of obtaining diagnostic and multi-planar images, and three-dimensional shoulder reconstructions.

Although it is considered the gold standard imaging technique in the evaluation of the rotator cuff, the MRI may be contraindicated in some situations, such as in the presence of pacemakers and metallic artifacts, and in cases of claustrophobia. Our observations are also corroborated by other authors, who understand that the CTA with multi-detectors is a valid option in patients for whom the MRI is contraindicated.2626 Fritz J, Fishman EK, Small KM, et al. MDCT arthrography of the shoulder with datasets of isotropic resolution: indications, technique, and applications. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2012;198(03):635-646,2727 De Filippo M, Bertellini A, Sverzellati N, et al. Multidetector computed tomography arthrography of the shoulder: diagnostic accuracy and indications. Acta Radiol 2008;49(05):540-549

Charousset et al2828 Charousset C, Bellaiche L, Duranthon LD, Grimberg J. Accuracy of CT arthrography in the assessment of tears of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2005;87(06):824-828 confirm the value of the CTA in the diagnosis of rotator cuff lesions, and they reached a considerable sensitivity and specificity for the lesions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle tendons. In our work, in general, we reached a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 79.41% for the rotator cuff lesions, while for the lesions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons, we reached a sensitivity of 78.78% and 78.95% respectively. In addition, the MSCTA has shown advantages in the postoperative period, such as the non-production of significant artifacts in the presence of metallic surgical material.2929 Rydberg J, Buckwalter KA, Caldemeyer KS, et al. Multisection CT: scanning techniques and clinical applications. Radiographics 2000;20(06):1787-1806

30 Penrod B, Lane M, Hayda R, Tucker J, Prevost D, DeBerardino T. Multislice/multi-detector et for the evaluation of orthopaedic appliances: utility and optimization in a variety of clinical conditions. In: Society of Skeletal Radiology. Twenty-fourth Annual Meeting. 2001

31 Farber JM, Buckwalter K. Multislice CT and the evaluation of osseous structures and joints in the presence of metal. In: Society of Skeletal Radiology. Twenty-fourth Annual Meeting. 2001
-3232 Farber JM, Buckwalter KA. Sports-related injuries of the shoulder: instability. Radiol Clin North Am 2002;40(02):235-249 In some cases, the presence of metal in or around the shoulder joint may limit the effectiveness of the conventional MRI or of the MRA, in spite of the techniques that may enhance the MRI.3333 Owen RS, Iannotti JP, KneelandJB, Dalinka MK, DerenJA, Oleaga L. Shoulder after surgery: MR imaging with surgical validation. Radiology 1993;186(02):443-447

34 Rand T, Trattnig S, Breitenseher M, Freilinger W, Cochole M, Imhof H. [MR arthrography of the shoulder joint in a postoperative patient sample]. Radiologe 1996;36(12):966-970

35 Magee TH, Gaenslen ES, Seitz R, Hinson GA, Wetzel LH. MR imaging of the shoulder after surgery. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1997;168(04):925-928
-3636 Gusmer PB, Potter HG, Donovan WD, O'Brien SJ. MR imaging of the shoulder after rotator cuff repair. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1997;168 (02):559-563

High-resolution MSCTA of the shoulder enables the visualization and diagnosis of rotator cuff joint injuries. However, regarding partial lesions (bursal, interstitial), the examination was not effective.3737 Omoumi P, Bafort AC, Dubuc JE, Malghem J, Vande Berg BC, Lecouvet FE. Evaluation of rotator cuff tendon tears: comparison of multidetector CT arthrography and 1.5-T MR arthrography. Radiology 2012;264(03):812-822,3838 Fritz J, Fishman EK, Fayad LM. MDCT Arthrography ofthe Shoulder. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2014;18(04):343-351 In our study in particular, we also noticed a greater difficulty in the diagnosis of partial lesions. This impression was confirmed when we identified that, while the partial supraspinatus tendon lesion was identified by MSCTA only in 3.33% of the cases, this type of lesion was found by arthroscopy in 16.7% of the cases.

In complete rotator cuff lesions (full thickness), the values found for sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy are as high in the MSCTA as in the MRA. However, the sensitivity for partial lesions is very low.3939 Oh JH, Kim JY, Choi JA, Kim WS. Effectiveness of multidetector computed tomography arthrography for the diagnosis of shoulder pathology: comparison with magnetic resonance imaging with arthroscopic correlation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2010;19(01):14-20,4040 Mahmoud MK, Badran YM, Zaki HG, Ali AH. One-shot MR and MDCT arthrography of shoulder lesions with arthroscopic correlation. Egyptian J Radiol Nuclear Med. 2013;44:273-281 In the present study, the accuracy of the MSCTA in the diagnosis of rotator cuff lesions (81.57%), in general, showed a moderate degree of agreement (Kappa coefficient). However, when evaluating the accuracy of the MSCTA with specification of the affected tendon separately, we observed an even better result with an even greater degree of agreement: the accuracy in the supraspinatus tendon injury was of 81.57%; in the infraspinatus tendon injury, it was of 89.47%; and in the subscapularis tendon lesion, it was of 92.11%, with concordance degrees of 49.51% (moderate), 78.94% (substantial) and 83.39% (almost perfect), respectively.

It is worth mentioning that the MSCTA has the great advantage of being a procedure of lower cost and quicker accomplishment, with less discomfort for the patient when compared to the MRI.

The present research has some limitations. Even though it is considered a gold standard exam, arthroscopy is an operator-dependent method – regardless of the fact that the orthopedic doctor had more than 10 years of experience in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Another bias was the fact that in the present study all operated patients had rotator cuff lesions, and this compromised the specificity findings, which in our study was of 100%. To minimize this limitation, we chose to identify a group in our historical data that had been negative for rotator cuff lesion in the arthroscopic evaluation, but that had been diagnosed in the radiological evaluation by MSCTA, which was considered a key group in the evaluation and determination of the statistical findings.

Conclusion

In the impossibility of performing the MRI (the gold standard imaging test), the MSCTA is an imaging examination that enables the evaluation and diagnosis of rotator cuff lesions. Thus, with this exam, the attending physician can better plan the strategy of the therapeutic approach.

  • *
    Study developed at Hospital Português da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. Originally published by Elsevier Ltda.

References

  • 1
    Ellman H, Kay SP. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for chronic impingement. Two- to five-year results. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1991;73(03):395-398
  • 2
    Veado MAC, Fonseca RMF. O ombro do nadador veterano. Rev Bras Ortop 1992;27:686-690
  • 3
    Farin PU, Kaukanen E, Jaroma H, Vaatainen U, Miettinen H, Soimakallio S. Site and size of rotator-cuff tear. Findings at ultrasound, double-contrast arthrography, and computed tomography arthrography with surgical correlation. Invest Radiol 1996; 31(07):387-394
  • 4
    Waldt S, Bruegel M, Mueller D, et al. Rotator cuff tears: assessment with MR arthrography in 275 patients with arthroscopic correlation. Eur Radiol 2007;17(02):491-498
  • 5
    Meislin RJ, Sperling JW, Stitik TP. Persistent shoulder pain: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis. Am J Orthop 2005;34(12, Suppl)5-9
  • 6
    Andrade RP, Filho MRCC, Queiroz BC. Lesões do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 2004;39(11/12):621-636
  • 7
    Bedi A, Dines J, Warren RF, Dines DM. Massive tears of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2010;92(09):1894-1908
  • 8
    Matava MJ, Purcell DB, Rudzki JR. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Am J Sports Med 2005;33(09):1405-1417
  • 9
    Lech O, Valenzuela Neto C, Severo A. Tratamento conservador das lesões parciais e completas do manguito rotador. Acta Ortop Bras 2000;8(03):144-156
  • 10
    McLaughlin HL. Rupture of the rotator cuff. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1962;44:979-983
  • 11
    Landis JR, Koch GG. The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics 1977;33(01):159-174
  • 12
    Guimarães MV. Avaliação do tratamento conservador do pinçamento subacromial e das lesões do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 1995;30(09):645-648
  • 13
    Almeida A, Valin MR, Zampieri R, Almeida NC, Roveda G, Agostini AP. Análise comparativa do resultado da sutura artroscópica da lesão do manguito rotador em pacientes fumantes e não fumantes. Rev Bras Ortop 2011;46(02):172-175
  • 14
    Checchia SL, Santos PD, Volpe Neto F, Cury RPL. Tratamento cirúrgico das lesões completas do manguito rotador. Rev Bras Ortop 1994;29(11/12):827-836
  • 15
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    14 Nov 2019
  • Date of issue
    Sep-Oct 2019

History

  • Received
    16 Oct 2017
  • Accepted
    14 Dec 2017
Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Al. Lorena, 427 14º andar, 01424-000 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel.: 55 11 2137-5400 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br