MRI Shoulder Evolving MRI methods with improved image quality and metal artifact reduction have rendered the modality a more feasible technique for the diagnosis of component loosening, rotator cuff tearing, and, in the presence of hemiarthroplasty, glenoid cartilage wear [37-39,58]. Because of developments in metal reduction protocols for MRI and research studies showing the benefit of MRI, it can be effective in the evaluation of aseptic loosening [37-39]. US Shoulder US is limited in the ability to evaluate bone-related complications such as loosening [10]. Variant 5: Symptomatic patient with a primary shoulder arthroplasty, infection excluded. Suspected rotator cuff tear or other soft-tissue abnormality. Additional imaging following radiographs. The prevalence of rotator cuff tears after arthroplasty placement has been reported to be up to 1.3% [3]. Tears of the subscapularis tendon can present with clinical and radiographic signs of anterior shoulder instability, including varying degrees of anterior subluxation as well as frank dislocation of the humeral head component relative to the glenoid [6,10]. 3-Phase Bone Scan with SPECT or SPECT/CT Shoulder Nuclear medicine examinations are not typically ordered for the evaluation of rotator cuff tendon abnormalities. Bone Scan Shoulder Nuclear medicine examinations are not typically ordered for the evaluation of rotator cuff tendon abnormalities. CT Arthrography Shoulder The inherent limited tissue-contrast resolution of CT detracts from its ability to detect rotator cuff tears. A CT arthrogram can be performed when there is suspicion of a rotator cuff tear [10]. CT arthrography can be an effective modality to evaluate the rotator cuff and detect any associated pathology [10,59]. The technique, however, is relatively weak in its ability to assess the extent of partial rotator cuff tears as well in identifying the exact location of the tear when compared with MRI.
Imaging After Shoulder Arthroplasty PCAs. MRI Shoulder Evolving MRI methods with improved image quality and metal artifact reduction have rendered the modality a more feasible technique for the diagnosis of component loosening, rotator cuff tearing, and, in the presence of hemiarthroplasty, glenoid cartilage wear [37-39,58]. Because of developments in metal reduction protocols for MRI and research studies showing the benefit of MRI, it can be effective in the evaluation of aseptic loosening [37-39]. US Shoulder US is limited in the ability to evaluate bone-related complications such as loosening [10]. Variant 5: Symptomatic patient with a primary shoulder arthroplasty, infection excluded. Suspected rotator cuff tear or other soft-tissue abnormality. Additional imaging following radiographs. The prevalence of rotator cuff tears after arthroplasty placement has been reported to be up to 1.3% [3]. Tears of the subscapularis tendon can present with clinical and radiographic signs of anterior shoulder instability, including varying degrees of anterior subluxation as well as frank dislocation of the humeral head component relative to the glenoid [6,10]. 3-Phase Bone Scan with SPECT or SPECT/CT Shoulder Nuclear medicine examinations are not typically ordered for the evaluation of rotator cuff tendon abnormalities. Bone Scan Shoulder Nuclear medicine examinations are not typically ordered for the evaluation of rotator cuff tendon abnormalities. CT Arthrography Shoulder The inherent limited tissue-contrast resolution of CT detracts from its ability to detect rotator cuff tears. A CT arthrogram can be performed when there is suspicion of a rotator cuff tear [10]. CT arthrography can be an effective modality to evaluate the rotator cuff and detect any associated pathology [10,59]. The technique, however, is relatively weak in its ability to assess the extent of partial rotator cuff tears as well in identifying the exact location of the tear when compared with MRI.