Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Partial and Full Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear.

The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile joints of the body with maximum range of motion occurring due to joint stability maintained by dynamic and static stabilizers. Of the dynamic stabilizers, rotator cuff is the most crucial and commonly involved component in the shoulder pain. Despite of proper history and physical examination, rotator cuff tear (RCT), need diagnostic imaging evaluation by a comprehensive and accurate imaging tool like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for analyzing the extent of tear. MRI is as accurate as arthroscopy in diagnosing partial (PTT) and full (FTT) thickness tear and as a preliminary diagnostic imaging modality. Evaluate diagnostic Objective – accuracy of MRI in analyzing the PTT and FTT by correlation of MRI ndings with arthroscopy. Study composed of 47 patients with prov Methodology – isional clinical diagnosis of RCT, meeting the criteria for both MRI and arthroscopic evaluation. MRI was done, followed by 'gold standard' investigation with arthroscopy. Statistical correlation of MRI and arthroscopy nding was done with sensitivity, specicity, predictive value and accuracy, along with kappa statistic to nd the level of agreement in diagnosing full and partial thickness tear by MRI. There Result – was perfect agreement between MRI and arthroscopy in diagnosing the FTT and substantial agreement for PTT, based on statistical value of Kappa for FTT as 0.93 and for PTT as 0.63 with P value at 5% signicance level as <0.001. The study demonstrated high sensitivity and specicity o Conclusion- f MRI with statistically perfect and substantial agreement of diagnosing FTT and PTT, respectively, with reference to arthroscopy. Thus, MRI apart from providing useful information about the extent of tear, also provides the characteristic features of tear which makes it imperative before initiation of any therapeutic plan.