Tear extending from articular to bursal surface of rotator cuff tendon
If tear involves entire tendon insertion, then considered full-width or complete tear
If it involves portion of tendon, then considered partial-width or incomplete tear
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Guo S et al: Assessment of tendon retraction in large to massive rotator cuff tears: a modified patte's classification based on two coronal sections on preoperative MRI with higher specificity on predicting reparability. Arthroscopy. 36(11):2822-30, 2020
Choo HJ et al: Delaminated tears of the rotator cuff: prevalence, characteristics, and diagnostic accuracy using indirect MR arthrography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 204(2):360-6, 2015
Roy JS et al: Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography, MRI and MR arthrography in the characterisation of rotator cuff disorders: a meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 49(20):1316-28, 2015
Rutten MJ et al: Detection of rotator cuff tears: the value of MRI following ultrasound. Eur Radiol. 20(2):450-7, 2010
de Jesus JO et al: Accuracy of MRI, MR arthrography, and ultrasound in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears: a meta-analysis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 192(6):1701-7, 2009
Jung JY et al: Comparison study of indirect MR arthrography and direct MR arthrography of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol. 38(7):659-67, 2009
Kang CH et al: Supraspinatus tendon tears: comparison of 3D US and MR arthrography with surgical correlation. Skeletal Radiol. 38(11):1063-9, 2009
Vandevenne JE et al: Fast MR arthrography using VIBE sequences to evaluate the rotator cuff. Skeletal Radiol. 38(7):669-74, 2009
Van Dyck P et al: Tears of the supraspinatus tendon: assessment with indirect magnetic resonance arthrography in 67 patients with arthroscopic correlation. Acta Radiol. 50(9):1057-63, 2009
Herold T et al: Indirect MR arthrography of the shoulder: use of abduction and external rotation to detect full- and partial-thickness tears of the supraspinatus tendon. Radiology. 240(1):152-60, 2006
Magee T et al: 3.0-T MRI of the supraspinatus tendon. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 187(4):881-6, 2006
Chang CY et al: Comparison of shoulder ultrasound and MR imaging in diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Clin Imaging. 26(1):50-4, 2002
Palmer WE et al: Rotator cuff: evaluation with fat-suppressed MR arthrography. Radiology. 188(3):683-7, 1993
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Rotator cuff tear (RCT)
Full-thickness RCT (FTRCT)
Definitions
Tear extending from articular to bursal surface of rotator cuff tendon
If tear involves entire tendon insertion, then considered full-width or complete tear
If it involves portion of tendon, then considered partial-width or incomplete tear
IMAGING
General Features
Radiographic Findings
CT Findings
MR Findings
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
Staging, Grading, & Classification
Gross Pathologic & Surgical Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Guo S et al: Assessment of tendon retraction in large to massive rotator cuff tears: a modified patte's classification based on two coronal sections on preoperative MRI with higher specificity on predicting reparability. Arthroscopy. 36(11):2822-30, 2020
Choo HJ et al: Delaminated tears of the rotator cuff: prevalence, characteristics, and diagnostic accuracy using indirect MR arthrography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 204(2):360-6, 2015
Roy JS et al: Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography, MRI and MR arthrography in the characterisation of rotator cuff disorders: a meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 49(20):1316-28, 2015
Rutten MJ et al: Detection of rotator cuff tears: the value of MRI following ultrasound. Eur Radiol. 20(2):450-7, 2010
de Jesus JO et al: Accuracy of MRI, MR arthrography, and ultrasound in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tears: a meta-analysis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 192(6):1701-7, 2009
Jung JY et al: Comparison study of indirect MR arthrography and direct MR arthrography of the shoulder. Skeletal Radiol. 38(7):659-67, 2009
Kang CH et al: Supraspinatus tendon tears: comparison of 3D US and MR arthrography with surgical correlation. Skeletal Radiol. 38(11):1063-9, 2009
Vandevenne JE et al: Fast MR arthrography using VIBE sequences to evaluate the rotator cuff. Skeletal Radiol. 38(7):669-74, 2009
Van Dyck P et al: Tears of the supraspinatus tendon: assessment with indirect magnetic resonance arthrography in 67 patients with arthroscopic correlation. Acta Radiol. 50(9):1057-63, 2009
Herold T et al: Indirect MR arthrography of the shoulder: use of abduction and external rotation to detect full- and partial-thickness tears of the supraspinatus tendon. Radiology. 240(1):152-60, 2006
Magee T et al: 3.0-T MRI of the supraspinatus tendon. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 187(4):881-6, 2006
Chang CY et al: Comparison of shoulder ultrasound and MR imaging in diagnosing full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Clin Imaging. 26(1):50-4, 2002
Palmer WE et al: Rotator cuff: evaluation with fat-suppressed MR arthrography. Radiology. 188(3):683-7, 1993
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