Clinical value of three-dimensional ultrasonography in the morphologic evaluation of rotator cuff tear: a prospective study

European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and Elbow (SECEC) rotator cuff tear registry Delphi consensus

“…While it is a cost-effective and dynamic imaging modality, its accuracy highly depends on the investigator’s skill and experience, and may not always provide a definitive diagnosis. 1 , 19 This may also have some element of regional bias, as ultrasound is performed in some countries by the radiologists, in others by the practitioner/surgeon itself, and thus may change the availability and feasibility of using US as a quick, cost efficient tool.…”

Three-dimensional sonography has satisfied accuracy for detecting rotator cuff tears

“…The introduction of 3D tomographic techniques in sonography imaging has made significant contributions to reducing operator subjectivity. The prospective study by Chen et al ( 16 ) emphasizes the clinical use of 3D sonography in the morphologic assessment of rotator cuff injuries and tears patterns. The ability to assess tear size, muscle involvement, and fatty infiltration using 3D sonography can have significant implications for clinical decision-making.…”

“…Numerous studies have reported sensitivity and specificity values for 3D sonography ranging from 0.77 to 1.00 and 0.50 to 0.90, respectively ( 9 , 16 , 28 – 30 , 32 ). Kijima et al ( 34 ) conducted pioneering research quantitatively demonstrating the reproducibility of 3D sonography in assessing the configuration of tear lesions, achieving a concordance rate of 0.91.…”

“…3D sonography provides volumetric data and multiplanar reconstructions ( 15 ), allowing for a more comprehensive evaluation of complex anatomical structures, such as the rotator cuff. This modality offers the ability to visualize the full extent of a tear, assess the relative position of structures, and even perform dynamic evaluations while the patient actively moves their shoulder ( 16 ). While 3D shoulder sonography holds promise for diagnosing of rotator cuff injuries and tear patterns, the existing body of evidence is dispersed across various studies and presents variable findings ( 16 ).…”

“…This modality offers the ability to visualize the full extent of a tear, assess the relative position of structures, and even perform dynamic evaluations while the patient actively moves their shoulder ( 16 ). While 3D shoulder sonography holds promise for diagnosing of rotator cuff injuries and tear patterns, the existing body of evidence is dispersed across various studies and presents variable findings ( 16 ). This necessitates a comprehensive meta-analysis to synthesize the available data, determine the overall diagnostic accuracy of 3D sonography, and identify potential factors influencing its performance.…”