Sometimes it is difficult to state the full extent of a rotator cuff tear.
There are some findings that help with your confidence in deciding between
a purely interstitial focal partial tear which may be treated
conservatively (in some cases depending on the clinical factors) and
articular surface tear which may be addressed surgically also heavily
dependent on clinical factors.
How would you describe the supraspinatus and infraspinatus in the following
case?
A. Normal
B. Focal interstitial insertional partial tear of the supraspinatus.
C. A partial tear with at least an articular surface component involving
both tendons. Could be a focal full thickness perforation in there.
D.Through and through massive retracted tear.
E. Tendonitis that came from an over exuberant Pete Townsend windmill
maneuver at the last holiday party.
What finding increases your confidence that there is a communicating
articular surface component?
A. Fat Saturated proton density K space calculations.
B. Intramuscular/tendon cyst.
C. 6 cm’s of retraction.
D.The moderate joint effusion.
Please reply to me if you want to reply. I will tally up the last case
responses shortly and send out. btw everyone got the answers correctly.
I’ll also include a reference with the tally of this case.
[image: 72yoFCyst7.jpg]
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[image: 72yoFCyst3.jpg]
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[image: 72yoFCyst1.jpg]
