MR imaging of the rotator cuff with calcifying tendinitis

An analysis of the MR-images of 75 patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder was performed. The aim of the study was to recognice characteristic findings of the calcific deposits and their relation to the involved tendons as well as the coincidence with additional degenerative alterations of the rotator cuff. The calcifications can be demonstrated with high accuracy (>95 %) in T1-weighted images as areas of decreased signal intensity. It is possible to characterice the calcifications similar to Gartner's radiologic classification differentiating form and density of the calcific deposits as well as their delimitation to the tendon structure. In T2-images there frequently is a perifocal band of increased signal intensity which can be identified as an oedema around the calcification. Analysing two perpendicular planes the calcifications can de assigned to the corresponding anatomical structure. 83 percent were located in the supraspinatus tendon above the humeral head or in the superior part of the subscapularis tendon. Degenerative areas of the rotator cuff are demonstrated as small zones of increased signal intensity, abnormal morphology or discontinuity of the tendon. Only in one patient a partial tear could be found; II percent showed variable signs of degenerative alteration of the involved tendon.