The Diagnostic Accuracy of Sonoelastography and MRI in Detecting Supraspinatus Tendinopathy (Code-T0095)

Introduction: Supraspinatus tendinopathy is a prevalent shoulder condition affecting daily function and quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is essential to guide effective treatment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for diagnosing tendon abnormalities, while sonoelastography (SE) has emerged as a promising complementary modality by assessing tissue stiffness and elasticity.

Aims & Objective:

Aim:- To study role of laparoscopic appendicectomy in patient with idiopathic recurrent or chronic right iliac fossa pain.

Objective: -

1. To study the undiagnosed right iliac fossa pain in which USG/CT scan showed no definite finding and whether those patients will be relieved by laparoscopic appendicectomy.
2. To follow up the patients of laparoscopic appendicectomy for recurrence of pain in right iliac fossa and to identify conditions leading to right iliac fossa pain.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital on 50 patients with shoulder pain. Participants underwent MRI to grade tendinopathy (Grades 0-IV) based on signal intensity and SE to measure tendon stiffness using strain ratios. The correlation between MRI grades and SE findings was analyzed using statistical tools. Sensitivity, specificity, and inter-observer reliability of both modalities were assessed.

Results: SE demonstrated significant differences in strain ratios across MRI grades, with higher grades correlating with increased stiffness (p < 0.05). SE showed high sensitivity (93.8%) and specificity (90%) for detecting tendinopathy, comparable to MRI. Inter-observer reliability for SE findings was strong (κ = 0.83). The combined use of SE and MRI enhanced diagnostic precision, especially in early tendinopathy.

Conclusion: Sonoelastography offers a reliable, non-invasive, and cost-effective adjunct to MRI for diagnosing supraspinatus tendinopathy. Its ability to assess tissue elasticity complements MRI’s anatomical insights, improving diagnostic accuracy and aiding clinical decision-making.

Keywords: Supraspinatus tendinopathy, Sonoelastography, MRI, Shoulder pain, Tissue stiffness, Diagnostic accuracy.