Correlation of Ultrasound and MRI in Rotator Cuff Injuries

Background: Shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints encountered in orthopaedic department. Rotator cuff pathologies are the most common cause of shoulder joint pain. In addition to a history and physical examination, the evaluation of a patient with shoulder pain often includes rotator cuff assessment using high - resolution ultrasonography or MRI. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of high - resolution ultrasonography in detecting the rotator cuff disorders by correlating with magnetic resonance imaging findings. Objective: 1) To Describe the spectrum of findings in Ultrasonography and Magnetic resonance imaging in rotator cuff injuries. 2) To correlate ultrasonography with magnetic resonance imaging for assessment of rotator cuff injuries. Methods: This study examines the accuracy of high - resolution ultrasonography (USG) in diagnosing rotator cuff injuries by comparing it with MRI findings in 40 patients. Conducted over 18 months at Sri Siddhartha Medical College, the cross - sectional study assesses USG's sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy relative to MRI. Results indicate USG?s high sensitivity for diagnosing full - thickness tears and its utility as a first - line modality due to accessibility and cost - effectiveness. MRI, however, provides superior imaging details in complex cases. The findings advocate for a complementary use of both imaging techniques to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes in shoulder injury assessments. Results: In this research of 40 patients, it was revealed that mean age group as 40 - 50 yr, with a male preponderance (67.5%). We observed that USG had 85% sensitivity to diagnose full thickness tears, and 92 % specificity when compared to MRI. In the overall study, USG had an overall sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 83% and a diagnostic accuracy of 92%. In scenarios where precision and detailed imaging are paramount, MRI outperforms USG by providing superior detection and characterization of subtle abnormalities. Its advanced imaging capabilities lead to more accurate diagnoses and better - informed clinical decisions, underscoring its value in the comprehensive assessment of these conditions. While USG remains an excellent first - line modality due to its safety, accessibility, and cost - effectiveness, MRI's enhanced diagnostic prowess is indispensable in complex cases where finer anatomical details and more definitive assessments are required. Understanding the diagnostic accuracy of both USG and MRI is critical for improving patient management and outcomes in shoulder pain cases, especially when considering factors such as cost, availability, and the need for detailed anatomical visualization in treatment planning. Conclusion: While both MRI and USG are valuable diagnostic tools, USG remains a critical initial diagnostic approach due to its non - invasiveness and accessibility. The study suggests a complementary use of both modalities to enhance diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes in the evaluation of rotator cuff injuries.