An association between the morphology of the acromion and the occurrence of rotator cuff tear (RCT) has been suggested by findings at both pathologic examination and routine radiography. As a tomographic technique, magnetic resonance (MR) assessment of acromial shape may be more accurate than routine radiography. The authors studied acromial morphology on sagittal oblique MR images of a control population (47 shoulders), of patients with isolated impingement (30 shoulders), and of patients with full-thickness RCTs (34 shoulders) to assess the association of acromial shape with disorders of the rotator cuff. Acromions were classified as flat (type 1), smoothly curved (type 2), or hooked (type 3). Data were collected by two observers, blinded to clinical and surgical information, who acted in consensus. Patients with RCT had a significantly increased prevalence of type 3 acromions compared with control patients (62% vs 13%, P < .001). Type 3 acromions tended to be more prevalent in the group with impingement (30%, P = .17). There was no significant difference in the distribution of acromion types among control patients with respect to age or gender.

Full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff can be accurately identified at MR imaging with little observer variation. Consistent differentiation of normal rotator cuff, tendinitis, and partial thickness tears is more difficult.

Endorectal MRI may effectively stratify patients with prior negative prostatic biopsy into low, moderate and high risk groups for a malignant prostatic neoplasm, and may improve our ability to identify prostatic tumor foci prospectively.

This study compares four methods of hepatic denervation and defines the rate and physiological significance of reinnervation. Five groups of rats were prepared: 10 underwent orthotopic liver transplantation. In nine rats a 90% aqueous phenol solution was applied circumferentially to the portal vein. Thirteen rats underwent microsurgical denervation; 28 received different doses of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HODA) administered as a single intraportal injection [50 (n = 10), 75 (n = 6), and 100 mg/kg (n = 6)]. Twelve rats were studied as controls. Rats were killed 1, 4, and 8 wk after surgery to determine liver tissue content of norepinephrine (NE). Changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to hepatic nerve stimulation, which was supramaximum in intensity and frequency, were measured before rats were killed. NE content in controls ranged from 121 to 204 ng/g and MAP increased by 30-38 mmHg after electrical stimulation. At 1, 4, and 8 wk after treatment the liver NE content was less than 1, 2.3, and 20.2 ng/g in the transplant group; less than 1, 2.7, 4.1 ng/g in the phenol group; and 17.2, less than 1, and 3 ng/g in the surgically denervated group. In the 6-HODA group, values were 18.9, 47, and 61.5 ng/g (50 mg/kg); 5.7, 20.2, and 15 ng/g (75 mg/kg); and 7.7, 2.5, and 17.5 ng/g (100 mg/kg). When the level of NE was undetectable, MAP increase after stimulation was 0-18% that of controls. When NE content was 15-23% of normal, MAP increased 49-62% regardless of the denervation technique.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The presence of GHJ fluid appears to be abnormal and in most cases is related to RCTs and osteoarthritis. It seems to be unrelated to activity, tenderness, or impingement.