Diagnostic Comparison of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Rotator Cuff Tears: A Study Conducted in the Population of Vijayapura.

BACKGROUND

Injuries to the shoulder and restricted range of motion often lead to decreased work productivity, increased use of medical resources, and impaired quality of life. The most frequent cause of shoulder discomfort and dysfunction is a disease related to the rotator cuff, such as bursitis, degenerative tears, and calcific tendinosis. This study evaluates ultrasonography's diagnostic efficacy in relation to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODOLOGY

Prospective research was conducted at a hospital to compare MRI and ultrasonography for shoulder cases involving rotator cuff injuries. There were 53 patients in the sample. Those who presented with pain and dysfunction in the shoulder were given both an MRI and an ultrasound (USG). Comparing the results of the MRI and USG allowed for the calculation of the diagnostic tests' accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.

RESULTS

The results of the study demonstrated a substantial agreement (p value <0.05) between the identification of rotator cuff tears by MRI and USG shoulder imaging. With a total accuracy of 88.6%, the sensitivity and specificity of identifying rotator cuff tears were 91.2% and 81.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

With similar sensitivity and specificity, MRI and USG are useful diagnostic techniques for rotator cuff injuries. USG is a great screening alternative due to its cost-effectiveness, noninvasiveness, and easy accessibility. However, when it comes to identifying the anatomical regions that need surgical repair, MRI is superior.