Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation

Background: The use of ultrasound as a viable diagnostic tool for routine office visit evaluation of rotator cuff integrity is slowly gaining acceptance in orthopedic practice. However, the reliability of accurately assessing rotator cuff tear reparability by ultrasound has limited evidence in the l...

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Main Authors: Jacob L. Cox, MD, Mitzi S. Laughlin, PhD, Hussein A. Elkousy, MD, Hayley M. Baker, PA-C, Brian L. Badman, MD, Dean W. Ziegler, MD, Don A. Buford, MD, Kevin K. Kruse, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-01-01
Series:JSES International
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638321002474
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author Jacob L. Cox, MD
Mitzi S. Laughlin, PhD
Hussein A. Elkousy, MD
Hayley M. Baker, PA-C
Brian L. Badman, MD
Dean W. Ziegler, MD
Don A. Buford, MD
Kevin K. Kruse, MD
author_facet Jacob L. Cox, MD
Mitzi S. Laughlin, PhD
Hussein A. Elkousy, MD
Hayley M. Baker, PA-C
Brian L. Badman, MD
Dean W. Ziegler, MD
Don A. Buford, MD
Kevin K. Kruse, MD
author_sort Jacob L. Cox, MD
collection DOAJ
description Background: The use of ultrasound as a viable diagnostic tool for routine office visit evaluation of rotator cuff integrity is slowly gaining acceptance in orthopedic practice. However, the reliability of accurately assessing rotator cuff tear reparability by ultrasound has limited evidence in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare preoperative assessment of cuff tear reparability via ultrasound with the arthroscopic determination of reparability at the time of surgery. Methods: We prospectively collected preoperative ultrasound and arthroscopic imaging data on 145 patients (80 or 55% men and average age of 60.7 years) who underwent arthroscopic posterior superior rotator cuff repair. Three independent experienced orthopedic surgeons retrospectively reviewed all ultrasound studies and arthroscopic imaging and determined if the posterior superior rotator cuff tendon edge was able to be viewed via ultrasound and determined with the arthroscopic images if the tear was reparable. Results: On review of the ultrasound and arthroscopic data, if the edge of the rotator cuff tendon was able to be viewed on the coronal ultrasound image, it was most likely reparable with a positive predictive value of 97.6% and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.8. Sensitivity was 84.4%, and specificity was 76.9%. The negative predictive value was 37.5%, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.17. The interobserver reliability was 0.63, and the observers were unanimous in determining the tendon edge was able to be visualized in 99 of 145 cases (68%). Conclusion: Preoperative ultrasound evaluation of the shoulder for posterior superior rotator cuff tears is a useful tool for assessing rotator cuff integrity and may help predict intraoperative reparability of the tendon. This study demonstrates that if the cuff tear edge is able to be visualized, there is a high probability of successful arthroscopic restoration of the tendon to its native attachment. Conversely, if the tear edge is unable to be visualized, there is a moderate chance of the tear being irreparable. These results help expand the knowledge base of the usefulness of in-office ultrasound performed by the surgeon in predicting the results of surgical intervention for rotator cuff tears.
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spelling doaj.art-5f5f1c58e543488e9b0f04e79019e3d92023-02-01T04:28:05ZengElsevierJSES International2666-63832023-01-01712124Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigationJacob L. Cox, MD0Mitzi S. Laughlin, PhD1Hussein A. Elkousy, MD2Hayley M. Baker, PA-C3Brian L. Badman, MD4Dean W. Ziegler, MD5Don A. Buford, MD6Kevin K. Kruse, MD7Texas Education and Research Foundation for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Inc. (TERFSES), Houston, TX, USA; Fondren Orthopedic Research Institute (FORI), Houston, TX, USATexas Education and Research Foundation for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Inc. (TERFSES), Houston, TX, USA; Fondren Orthopedic Research Institute (FORI), Houston, TX, USA; Corresponding author: Mitzi S. Laughlin, PhD, 7401 Main St., Houston, TX 77030, USATexas Education and Research Foundation for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Inc. (TERFSES), Houston, TX, USA; Fondren Orthopedic Research Institute (FORI), Houston, TX, USA; Fondren Orthopedic Group, Texas Orthopedic Hospital, Houston, TX, USATexas Orthopaedic Associates, Dallas, TX, USAOptum Bone and Spine, Indianapolis, IN, USABlount Orthopaedic Associates, Milwaukee, WI, USAThe Texas Orthobiologic Institute, Dallas, TX, USATexas Orthopaedic Associates, Dallas, TX, USABackground: The use of ultrasound as a viable diagnostic tool for routine office visit evaluation of rotator cuff integrity is slowly gaining acceptance in orthopedic practice. However, the reliability of accurately assessing rotator cuff tear reparability by ultrasound has limited evidence in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare preoperative assessment of cuff tear reparability via ultrasound with the arthroscopic determination of reparability at the time of surgery. Methods: We prospectively collected preoperative ultrasound and arthroscopic imaging data on 145 patients (80 or 55% men and average age of 60.7 years) who underwent arthroscopic posterior superior rotator cuff repair. Three independent experienced orthopedic surgeons retrospectively reviewed all ultrasound studies and arthroscopic imaging and determined if the posterior superior rotator cuff tendon edge was able to be viewed via ultrasound and determined with the arthroscopic images if the tear was reparable. Results: On review of the ultrasound and arthroscopic data, if the edge of the rotator cuff tendon was able to be viewed on the coronal ultrasound image, it was most likely reparable with a positive predictive value of 97.6% and a positive likelihood ratio of 5.8. Sensitivity was 84.4%, and specificity was 76.9%. The negative predictive value was 37.5%, and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.17. The interobserver reliability was 0.63, and the observers were unanimous in determining the tendon edge was able to be visualized in 99 of 145 cases (68%). Conclusion: Preoperative ultrasound evaluation of the shoulder for posterior superior rotator cuff tears is a useful tool for assessing rotator cuff integrity and may help predict intraoperative reparability of the tendon. This study demonstrates that if the cuff tear edge is able to be visualized, there is a high probability of successful arthroscopic restoration of the tendon to its native attachment. Conversely, if the tear edge is unable to be visualized, there is a moderate chance of the tear being irreparable. These results help expand the knowledge base of the usefulness of in-office ultrasound performed by the surgeon in predicting the results of surgical intervention for rotator cuff tears.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638321002474Rotator cuffUltrasoundSonographyTear reparabilityPositive predictive valueDiagnostic tool
spellingShingle Jacob L. Cox, MD
Mitzi S. Laughlin, PhD
Hussein A. Elkousy, MD
Hayley M. Baker, PA-C
Brian L. Badman, MD
Dean W. Ziegler, MD
Don A. Buford, MD
Kevin K. Kruse, MD
Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation
JSES International
Rotator cuff
Ultrasound
Sonography
Tear reparability
Positive predictive value
Diagnostic tool
title Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation
title_full Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation
title_fullStr Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation
title_full_unstemmed Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation
title_short Determination of rotator cuff tear reparability: an ultrasound-based investigation
title_sort determination of rotator cuff tear reparability an ultrasound based investigation
topic Rotator cuff
Ultrasound
Sonography
Tear reparability
Positive predictive value
Diagnostic tool
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638321002474
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