Rotator cuff tears: evaluation using double-contrast shoulder arthrography.

To determine the accuracy of double-contrast arthrography in complete rotator cuff tears, we studied 805 patients thought to have a complete rotator cuff tear who had undergone double-contrast shoulder arthrography (DCSA) between 1978 and 1983. The results of this study indicate that DCSA is exquisitely sensitive and as accurate as the single-contrast examination. The site of disruption was directly visualized in 93% of cases, and the size of the defect and status of the torn tendon edges were reliably predicted. Such information may influence the surgeon in patient selection for operative repair as well as surgical approach.