European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The aim of this stud is to study role of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of musculotendinous pathology of shoulder joint. The patients were then briefed about the procedure for the USG and MRI studies. All the USG scans of the shoulder were performed on GE S8 USG machine using a high density, multi frequency (6-15 MHz) linear array transducer. MRI scans of the shoulder in this study were performed using GE Signa 1.5 tesla explorer.
Result: Amongst the patients with tendonitis, USG could detect the condition in 75.0% patients. Amongst the patients with partial thickness tear, USG could detect the condition in 80.0% patients. Amongst the patients with full thickness tear, USG could detect the condition in 100.0% patients. There was a statistically significant strong agreement between findings of MRI and USG. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of USG as compared to standard (MRI) in detecting musculoskeletal pathologies/conditions of shoulder joint have been presented in above table. USG was found to have good sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value and predictive accuracy in detecting musculoskeletal pathologies/conditions of shoulder joint. The negative predictive value of USG was good for all the component except for supraspinatus.
Conclusion: Musculotendinous         pathologies      are       common          clinical problem, however their clinical presentation can be mimicked by other pathologies in the shoulder which may be present in isolation or in association with tendon pathologies. Clinical evaluation does not provide adequate insight into the patients‟ problem and hence is a poor guide to management protocols. Imaging evaluation is mandatory for the diagnosis and management of the patients. Ultrasound evaluation provides extensive information in patients with clinically suspected musculotendinous pathologies and shows a good correlation to MRI. As USG is a dynamic study, cost effective , and easily available so can be used as the initial imaging modality in these patients..MRI evaluation in patients with clinically suspected musculotendinous pathologies provides a more complete evaluation of all components of the shoulder joint. But due to its limitations like less availability, high cost and low patient compliance UGS overcomes all these limitations