Correlation of Supraspinatus Tears and Tendinosis with Acromion Morphology and Acromioclavicular Arthritis Based on Conventional MRI and CT

Aim: To evaluate the association of supraspinatus tears and tendinosis with acromion morphology and acromio-clavicular arthritis using conventional MRI and CT. Material and Methods: Evaluation of 100 patients with chronic shoulder pain for rotator cuff tears and correlating them with findings of acromion and acromio-clavicular joint. Dual source 16-slice Computed tomography scanner (Bright speed, GE health care, UK) and 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging system (Magnetom Essenza, Siemens health care, Germany) were used for imaging. Acromio-clavicular joint, rotator cuff pathologies and acromion types were evaluated using CT and MRI. Measurement of acromiohumeral distance was done using CT. Results: In our study, 92% cases with acromio-clavicular joint changes showed tear/tendinosis of supraspinatus tendon. The type I and type II are more seen types in the population. However, type III acromion showed supraspinatus tears in 100% cases and type II acromion were associated with rotator cuff tears in 80% of cases. Acromio-humeral distance <7 mm was associated with 70 % supraspinatus tears and remaining 30 % had tendinosis. Acromio-humeral distance between 7-10 mm was associated with supraspinatus tears in 64 % cases. Conclusion: Acromioclavicular arthritis and type III acromion showed strong association with supraspinatus tears and tendinosis. Reduced acromio-humeral distance was an important association of supraspinatus tears.