Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Rotator Cuff Interval

Douglas P. Beall; Yoav Morag; Justin Q. Ly; M. Brandon Johnson; Charles B. Pasque; Brett A. Braley; Hal D. Martin; Annette M. Stapp

doi:10.1055/s-2006-957172

Subscribe to RSS

Please copy the URL and add it into your RSS Feed Reader.

https://www.thieme-connect.de/rss/thieme/en/10.1055-s-00000070.xml

Share / Bookmark

Facebook Linkedin Weibo

Download PDF

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2006; 10(3): 187-196
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957172

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Rotator Cuff Interval

Douglas P. Beall¹ ^, ² ^, ³ , Yoav Morag⁴ , Justin Q. Ly⁵ , M. Brandon Johnson⁶ , Charles B. Pasque⁶ , Brett A. Braley⁶ , Hal D. Martin⁷ , Annette M. Stapp³

¹Clinical Radiology of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
²Department of Orthopedics, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
³The Physicians Group, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
⁴Musculoskeletal Division, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
⁵Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
⁶Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
⁷Oklahoma Sports Science and Orthopaedics, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
27 December 2006 (online)

Also available at

Abstract
Full Text
References

Buy Article Permissions and Reprints

ABSTRACT

The rotator cuff interval (RCI) is an important and anatomically complex region of the rotator cuff that is critically important to normal glenohumeral function. Recognition of common pathologies in this region on imaging examinations is especially important as injuries may be difficult to detect on clinical examination and even at arthroscopy. Familiarity with the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the normal and abnormal RCI and the ability to convey findings to orthopedic and sports medicine referrers are essential to facilitate prompt creation of effective treatment plans.

KEYWORDS

MRI - rotator cuff - interval - biceps tendon - coracohumeral

REFERENCES

1 Burkart A C, Debski R E. Anatomy and function of the glenohumeral ligaments in anterior shoulder instability. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2002; 400 32-39

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
2 Edelson J G, Taitz C, Grishkan A. The coracohumeral ligament. Anatomy of a substantial but neglected structure. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1991; 73 150-153

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
3 Morag Y, Jacobson J A, Shields G et al.. MR arthrography of rotator interval, long head of the biceps brachii, and biceps pulley of the shoulder. Radiology. 2005; 235 21-30

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
4 Boon J M, de Beer M A, Botha D, Maritz N G, Fouche A A. The anatomy of the subscapularis tendon insertion as applied to rotator cuff repair. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2004; 13 165-169

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
5 Walch G, Nove-Josserand L, Boileau P. Subluxations and dislocations of the tendon of the long head of the biceps. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1998; 7 100-108

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
6 Walch G, Nove-Josserand L, Levigne C, Renaud E. Tears of the supraspinatus tendon associate with “hidden” lesions of the rotator interval. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1994; 3 353-360

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
7 Jost B, Koch P P, Gerber C. Anatomy and functional aspects of the rotator interval. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2000; 9 336-341

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
8 Gleason P D, Beall D P, Sanders T G et al.. The transverse humeral ligament: a separate anatomical structure or a continuation of the osseous attachment of the rotator cuff?. Am J Sports Med. 2006; 34 72-77 , Epub 2005 Sept 16

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
9 Clark J, Sidles J A, Matsen F A. The relationship of the glenohumeral joint capsule to the rotator cuff. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1990; (254) 29-34

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
10 Clark J M, Harryman II D T. Tendons, ligaments, and capsule of the rotator cuff. Gross and microscopic anatomy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992; 74 713-725

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
11 Fallon J, Blevins F T, Vogel K, Trotter J. Functional morphology of the supraspinatus tendon. J Orthop Res. 2002; 20 920-926

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
12 Burkhart S S, Esch J C, Jolson R S. The rotator crescent and rotator cable: an anatomic description of the shoulder's “suspension bridge.” Arthroscopy. 1993; 9 611-616 , Erratum in Arthroscopy. 1994; 10 239

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
13 Halder A M, O'Driscoll S W, Heers G et al.. Biomechanical comparison of effects of supraspinatus tendon detachments, tendon defects, and muscle retractions. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2002; 84-A 780-785

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
14 Burkhart S S. Fluoroscopic comparison of kinematic patterns in massive rotator cuff tears. A suspension bridge model. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1992; (284) 144-152

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
15 Morag Y, Jacobson J, Lucas D, Miller B, Brigido M K, Jamadar D. Sonographic appearance of the rotator cable with histologic correlation. Preliminary results. Radiology. 2006; 241 485-491

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
16 Fitzpatrick M J, Powell S E, Tibone J E, Warren R F. The anatomy, pathology, and definitive treatment of rotator interval lesions: current concepts. Arthroscopy. 2003; 19 Suppl 1 70-79

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
17 Nobuhara K, Ikeda H. Rotator interval lesions. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1987; 223 44-50

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
18 Gartsman G M, Roddey T S, Hammerman S M. Arthroscopic treatment of anterior-inferior glenohumeral instability: two to five-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000; 82 991-1003

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
19 Applegate G R, Hewitt M, Snyder S J, Watson E, Kwak S, Resnick D. Chronic labral tears: value of magnetic resonance arthrography in evaluating the glenoid labrum and labral-bicipital complex. Arthroscopy. 2004; 20 959-963

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
20 Chandnani V P, Yeager T D, DeBerardino T et al.. Glenoid labral tears: prospective evaluation with MRI imaging, MR arthrography, and CT arthrography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1993; 161 1229-1235

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
21 Chung C B, Dwek J R, Cho G J, Lektrakul N, Trudell D, Resnick D. Rotator cuff interval: evaluation with MR imaging and MR arthrography of the shoulder in 32 cadavers. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2000; 24 738-743

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
22 Ho C PMR. Imaging of rotator interval, long biceps and associated injuries in the overhead-throwing athlete. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 1999; 7 23-37

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
23 Grainger A J, Tirman P F, Elliott J M, Kingzett-Taylor A, Steinbach L S, Genant H K. MR anatomy of the subcoracoid bursa and the association of subcoracoid effusion with tears of the anterior rotator cuff and the rotator interval. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000; 174 1377-1380

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
24 Mikasa M. Subacromial bursography. Nippon Seikeigeka Gakkai Zasshi. 1979; 53 225-231

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
25 Slatis P, Aalto K. Medial dislocation of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii. Acta Orthop Scand. 1979; 50 73-77

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
26 Warner J J, Higgins L, Parsons IM 4th, Dowdy P. Diagnosis and treatment of anterosuperior rotator cuff tears. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2001; 10 37-46

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
27 Le Huec J C, Schaeverbeke T, Moinard M et al.. Traumatic tear of the rotator interval. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1996; 5 41-46

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
28 Field L D, Warren R F, O'Brien S J, Altchek D W, Wickiewicz T L. Isolated closure of rotator interval defects for shoulder instability. Am J Sports Med. 1995; 23 557-563

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
29 Sethi N, Wright R, Yamaguchi K. Disorders of the long head of the biceps tendon. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1999; 8 644-654

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
30 Berlemann U, Bayley I. Tenodesis of the long head of the biceps brachii in the painful shoulder: results in the long term. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 1995; 4 429-435

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
31 Gartsman G M, Roddey T S, Hammerman S M. Arthroscopic treatment of anterior-inferior glenohumeral instability: two to five-year follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000; 82 991-1003

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
32 Itoi E, Kuechle D K, Newman S R, Morrey B F, An K N. Stabilising function of the biceps in stable and unstable shoulders. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1993; 75 546-550

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
33 Bonutti P M, Norfray J F, Friedman R J, Genez B M. Kinematic MRI of the shoulder. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1993; 17 666-669

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
34 Friedman R J, Bonutti P M, Genez B. Cine magnetic resonance imaging of the subcoracoid region. Orthopedics. 1998; 21 545-548

PubMed Search in Google Scholar
35 Giaroli E L, Major N M, Lemley D E, Lee J. Coracohumeral interval imaging in subcoracoid impingement syndrome on MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006; 186 242-246

Crossref PubMed Search in Google Scholar
36 Friedman R J, Bonutti P M, Genez B. Line magnetic resonance imaging of the subcoratoid region. Orthopedics. 1998; 21 545-548

PubMed Search in Google Scholar

Douglas P BeallM.D.

610 NW 14th Street

Oklahoma City, OK 73103