Objective
To compare to type and size of rotator cuff tear (RCT) in the transverse view before and after arthro-3D sonography. Method: Total 24 cases with rotator cuff tear were diagnosed according to ultrasonographic finding. All of patients were performed by a posterior-lateral approach for sono-guided intra-articular injection and underwent by both before and after arthro 3D sonogrpahy. We measured size (transverse, longitudinal, area) of RCT on the transverse scan in search of the largest lesion and the difference to type and size of RCT after arthrography. Results: 3D ultrasonography detected full-thickness tear in 18 cases, partial-thickness tear in 6 cases before arthro-3D sonograhy. Change in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear after arthro -3D sonogrphy; 3 partial-thickness tear were diagnosed as full-thickness tear. The size (transverse, longitudinal, area) of RCT was increased significantly after arthro -3D sonography compared with that before arthro 3D sonography. Conclusion: Arthro-3D sonography is useful for evaluation the configuration of RCT. Using this method, we can provide the objective and steric image of RCT. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 362-367)

Objective
To investigate the usefulness and indications of arthrosonography by testing if the new technique could provide additional information on the degrees of rotator cuff tears when compaired to the findings of conventional ultrasonographic examinations. Method: Thirty six patients, who were identified to have partial or full-thickness rotator cuff tears by conventional ultrasonography, were included. Intraarticular injection of 15 ml of fluid was performed via posterior approach under ultrasound-guidance, which was followed by arthrosonography. Results: Among 26 patients with partial-thickness tear which was detected by the conventional ultrasonography, eight were identified to have full-thickness tears by the arthrosonography. Although the difference was not significant, the grade 3 partial-thickness tear in the conventional sonography had a higher rate of being identified as full- thickness tear in the arthrosonography than the grade 2 partial-thickness tears. The size of partial-thickness tear was increased after instillation of fluid in the arthrosonography. Conclusion: Arthrosonography would be useful in differentiating partial- and full-thickness tears. When a tear of the rotator cuff tendon, especially a grade 3 partial-thickness tear, is detected in the conventional sonographic examination, an obscured full-thickness tear should be suspected and subsequent arthrosonographic procedure could be administered to clarify the extent of the lesion. Moreover, arthrosonography might be helpful in detecting partial-thickness tears by making them appear larger after instillation of fluid. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 742-749)

Objective
To determine the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in detection of the partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tear compared with arthrography. Method: One hundred twenty one cases were diagnosed as the patients with rotator cuff tear. Patients with full-thickness tear were divided into subgroups based on the size of small (＜1 cm), large (1∼3 cm) and massive (＞3 cm) tear. With arthrography as the standard of comparison for diagnosis of rotator cuff tear, full-thickness tear was confirmed by leakage of contrast extending into the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa. Results: Ultrasonography detected full-thickness tear in 90 cases, partial-thickness tear in 24 cases and no tear in 7 cases. A comparison of the results from ultrasonography and arthrography demonstrated a sensitivity of 83.8%, a specificity of 43.9% and an accuracy of 70.2% for detection of full-thickness tear. The size of supraspinatus full-thickness tear in inconsistent group of ultrasonographic and arthrographic findings was significantly smaller than that of consistent group. Conclusion: Ultrasonography may be used as the primary screening test for patients who may have suspected rotator cuff tears. However, other diagnostic techniques are recommended to confirm in patients who show small full-thickness tear on ultrasonography. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2006; 30: 362-367)

Objective
To determine the association between the type and severity of rotator cuff tear and ultrasonographic findings. Method: Total 91 cases with rotator cuff tear were classified into partial- or full-thickness tear according to arthrographic and ultrasonographic findings. Partial-thickness tear was divided into the tear on the bursal or articular side. Full-thickness tear was divided into small (2 cm＜) or large (2 cm≧) tear by the length of retraction. Combined findings which included biceps tenosynovitis, subacromial-subdeltoid (SASD) bursitis, acromio-clavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis and the cortical irregularity of greater tubercle (GT) were evaluated by ultrasonography. Results: Sixty five cases (71.9%) were full-thickness tear and 26 cases (28.1%) were partial-thickness tear. Forty two cases (46.1%) were SASD bursitis, 33 cases (36.2%) were biceps tenosynovitis, 24 cases (26.3%) were cortical irregularity of GT, and 26 cases (28.5%) were AC joint osteoarthritis. The incidence of SASD bursitis was higher in full- thickness tear than partial-thickness tear. The SASD bursitis and cortical irregularity of GT were more frequently shown in large tear than small tear. Conclusion: SASD bursitis showed higher association with full-thickness tear than partial-thickness tear. The length of retraction was more severe when SASD bursitis or cortical irregularity of GT was associated with full-thickness tear. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 291-296)