The Role of MRI in assessment of acromial morphology in association with rotator cuff tear

Abstract

Background: The pathogenesis of rotator cuff tear (RCT) remains controversial. The acromion portion of the scapula and its morphology may be attributable for a variety of shoulder disorders such as RCT. Aim of the work: The purpose of this article is to throw light on the role of MRI in the assessment of morphological characteristics of different acromial shapes in association with RCTs. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out at Ain Shams Teaching Hospital Radiodiagnosis Department. We used MRI prospectively to image the shoulders of patients who presented to the radiology department with suspected RCT. Their ages ranged between 24 and 73 years with a mean age 48 years. Data were tabulated and manipulated using SPSS (vi 16), and the level of significance was less than 0.05. Results: Significant correlation between partial thickness tear and type I acromion was found (p value 0.02). Type-III acromion was the most commonly encountered acromial shape in patients with full thickness tear, yet no significant correlation was found (P > 0.05). The acromial thickness, AHD, AI and LAA were significantly different in patients with RCT compared to control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Thicker acromion, shorter AHD, smaller LAA and larger AI are associated with rotator cuff tear. The types of acromion showed no significant correlation with full thickness tear.