[Role of double contrast arthrography of the shoulder in the assessment of lesions of the rotatory muscle cuff].

From 1980 to 1989 the author performed 481 double-contrast arthrographic examinations of the shoulder (DCSA). A hundred and forty-two complete and 46 partial rotator cuff tears were demonstrated; 68 of them underwent surgical exploration. Our results confirmed DCSA capabilities in detecting rotator cuff tears (greater than 98%) and in defining both their location (100%) and size (95%). Moreover, thickness (89%) and erosions (94%) in tendon edges and surfaces were demonstrated--that is, all the qualitative information needed to depict degenerative processes. Such evidence may also affect treatment planning.