Correlations Between Different Types of Posterior Superior Rotator Cuff Tears and Myoarchitecture: Insights from Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Research Article
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Correlations Between Different Types of Posterior Superior Rotator Cuff Tears and Myoarchitecture: Insights from Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1. Dammam Medical Complex Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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Received Date: 05.10.2024
Accepted Date: 07.10.2024
Online Date: 09.10.2024
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Abstract

Objectives: Posterior rotator cuff (RC) tears (RCTs) are common and cause adverse structural and functional changes within the associated musculature. Despite our existing knowledge of the architectural features of normal RC muscles, their specific characteristics remain insufficiently understood in the context of RCTs. The aim of the study is to investigate the association between muscle and tendon architectural alterations in posterior superior RCTs and their correlation with the Goutallier grade of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles.

Methods: The study cohort comprised 150 patients with distinct subtypes of posterior superior RCTs, specifically L-shaped, C/U-shaped, and complete tears. Two experienced musculoskeletal radiologists conducted a blinded analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images obtained using a 3.0 Tesla MRI machine to quantify the Goutallier grade for both the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Furthermore, the authors assessed the muscle architectural parameters of the supraspinatus, including the central tendon angle (CTA), anterior pennation angle (PA), and posterior PA, for each individual in the cohort.

Results: The Goutallier grade was significantly higher in the infraspinatus muscle than in the supraspinatus muscle (p<0.001). CTA demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with the Goutallier grade in L-shaped (p=0.002) and C/U-shaped tears (p=0.004), but no significant correlation was observed in complete tears (p=0.183). Specifically, the anterior PA showed a moderate positive correlation with the Goutallier grade in L-shaped tears only (p=0.02), whereas the posterior PA exhibited a strong positive correlation across all tear types (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In cases of posterior superior RCTs, changes in the posterior PA exhibit a robust correlation with the Goutallier grade of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. Consequently, the posterior PA can serve as a surrogate marker for evaluating early, irreversible morphological alterations in the RC muscles, thereby prompting timely consideration of surgical interventions.

Keywords:
Rotator cuff, muscle atrophy, tendon, MRI, shoulder