[Radiotherapy of humero-scapular periarthritis using ultra-hard photons. Evaluation by MRI findings].

PURPOSE

Evaluation of MRI in radiotherapy of humeroscapular periarthritis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-seven patients with humeroscapular periarthritis prospectively underwent MRI before radiotherapy.

RESULTS

Six months after radiotherapy, 34% of the patients had achieved complete pain relief, 35% major pain relief. Twenty percent had only slight improvement and 12% no improvement. Positive correlation of radiotherapy outcome and MRI findings could be shown for acute tendinitis, erosions, and complete and incomplete ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy is highly effective in the treatment of humeroscapular periarthritis. The indication can be improved using MRI.