Imaging studies in cases with painful shoulder

Abstract

Painful shoulder is a frequent clinical problem in musculoskeletal pathology. Imaging plays an essential role in the etiologic diagnosis. Simple x-rays are usually the first performed diagnostic test, and on occasion, it is enough to establish a diagnosis. Tendinous calcifications are clearly depicted on plain radiographs, which are a first option modality in the evaluation of bone tumors. Tendinous pathology is the most common cause of shoulder pain. It may be analysed either by ultrasound or magnetic resonance (MR). MR is the most sensitive technique to detect early pathological changes. MR is usually used in the presurgical evaluation of the shoulder and in local staging of bone and soft tissue tumors.