Ultrasound of the Shoulder

Abstract

Ultrasound is a cost-effective imaging modality and when used by an experienced operator or clinician can be as reliable as MRI or surgery in the diagnosis of common causes of shoulder pain. A careful clinical and sonographic examination of the shoulder can result in the diagnosis of the etiology of shoulder pain in many individuals. The sonographic examination of the shoulder should be systematic and include imaging the rotator cuff tendon and muscles, long head of the biceps tendon, acromioclavicular joint, as well as associated structures such as joint recesses and bursae. Knowledge of sonoanatomy will allow the practitioner to optimally position the patient to create sonographic windows to examine various structures. A broad group of rotator cuff and nonrotator cuff pathologies may be depicted as well as manifestations of inflammatory arthropathies.