[The value of radiological examination in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear].

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the correlation between radiological changes on a-p radiograph of the shoulder and rotator cuff tear on the ground of analysis of 328 patients (360 shoulders) aged between 11 and 73 years suffering from different forms of periarthritis humeroscapularis. Sonographic examination revealed rotator cuff tear in 54 shoulders; 38 confirmed at surgery and 16 at arthrography. There was very strong correlation between rotator cuff tear and irregularities of greater tubercle, narrowing of the distance between humeral head and acromion to 5 mm or less, greater tubercle recession, osteophytes and reverse shape of acromion. Last 3 changes were very strongly correlated with medium and large size rotator cuff tear.