Investigating the Diagnostic Value of MRI in the Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Tears Compared with Findings from Arthroscopy or Open Surgery

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Rotator cuff tear is amongst the most common shoulder diseases and a principal reason for orthopaedic consultations. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most common diagnostic methods for rotator cuff tears and has been compared with direct observation methods, such as arthroscopy and open surgery, in this study. Materials and Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional analytical type conducted retrospectively from the beginning of 2018 to the end of 2020 in Al-Zahra and Kashani Hospitals in Isfahan, Iraq, covering 86 patients including 54 men and 32 women with criteria for rotator cuff tear who underwent MRI and subsequently arthroscopy or open surgery. MRI images were interpreted by a radiology specialist, and physical examinations, arthroscopy and surgery were performed by two orthopaedic specialists, calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for rotator cuff tears. Results: A total of 29 cases of partial tear and 37 cases of complete tear were observed, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy obtained as 93.9%, 60%, 88.6, 75% and 86%, respectively. Conclusion: MRI is a highly reliable diagnostic tool for diagnosing rotator cuff tears, although correlation with clinical symptoms and physical examinations is essential for this diagnosis.