Rotator Cuff and Impingement Symptoms

Abstract

Shoulder pain is a common sports-related complaint that may be caused by rotator cuff-related abnormalities. Accurate imaging plays a pivotal role in direct timing and type of treatment and subsequential outcome. Native MR imaging and ultrasonography are equally accurate and optimal and complementary tools to discriminate different forms of impingement symptoms and to localize and classify rotator cuff injuries. Currently, considering accuracy, safety, and cost, US is the preferred imaging modality to start with, when rotator cuff pathology is expected. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are most commonly encountered in (overhead throwing) athletes, particularly on the articular side, which are best appreciated using MR arthrography including abduction-exorotation views. MR arthrography is also the preferred tool to rule out concurrent labral-ligamentous lesions and depict abnormalities related to posterosuperior (internal) impingement.