Abstract
BackgroundThis retrospective study investigated the association between clinical features and MRI findings in patients with early adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.MethodsThe study included 29 patients with early adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. The clinical diagnostic criteria were significantly restricted passive range of motion (ROM) and a symptom duration of up to 9 months. Various measurements related to adhesive capsulitis, including humeral and glenoid capsular thickness in the axillary recess, maximal axillary capsular thickness, coracohumeral ligament thickness, and anterior capsular thickness were measured on MRI. Abnormal humeral and glenoid capsular hyperintensity in the axillary recess, abnormal hyperintensity in the rotator interval, and obliteration of the subcoracoid fat triangle were also evaluated. Correlations between MRI findings and clinical features, including limited ROM, pain, and symptom duration were sought.ResultsMaximal axillary and humeral capsular thickness measured on MRI were negatively correlated with ROM for internal rotation. Also, hyperintensity in axillary recess and glenoid capule were correlated with ROM for abduction. Humeral capsular hyperintensity was correlated with ROM for forward flexion. There were no MRI findings that showed correlations with ROM for external rotation and severity of pain. The hyperintensity in the humeral capsule among MRI findings was only correlated with duration of symptoms.ConclusionsMRI can be useful for assessment of several measures of clinical impairment in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Thickening and hyperintensity of the joint capsule in the axillary recess on MRI is associated with limited ROM and duration of symptoms.
Highlights
This retrospective study investigated the association between clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with early adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder is characterized by shoulder pain and limited active and passive range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder [1,2,3]
Given that other diseases of the shoulder, such as rotator cuff tear, bursitis, and calcified tendinitis, may have similar clinical symptoms [1, 6], magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography are useful for differentiating AC from other diseases [2, 7,8,9,10]
Summary
This retrospective study investigated the association between clinical features and MRI findings in patients with early adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Based on previous studies that used MRI, the key diagnostic findings for AC include capsular thickening, a hyperintense T2 signal and contrast enhancement in the axillary capsule and rotator interval, thickening of the coracohumeral ligament (CHL), and obliteration of the subcoracoid fat triangle [2, 11, 12] These MRI findings have an important role in the diagnosis of early AC when clinical features are atypical and in shortening the duration of joint stiffness by allowing timely physical therapy and intraarticular steroid injection, which could help to reduce the morbidity rate [13, 14]. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between various clinical features and the MRI findings for early AC that are known to date
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