Sonographic and MRI presentation of geyser sign in rotator cuff tears

Abstract

Limited cases of rotator cuff tears with acromioclavicular (AC) degeneration in association with cystic swelling or ganglion cyst have been described till date. The “geyser radiographic sign” was originally described by Craig in 1984. Its significance was to document a tear in the articular capsule of the AC joint in the setting of a chronic full-thickness tear of the rotator cuff, which gave the appearance of a geyser arising from the subacromial bursa as radiographic contrast tracked through the AC joint to project superiorly from the shoulder. An 82-year-old male presented with pain on rest in the left shoulder and with difficulty in overhead abduction from last few months. MRI showed near complete full-thickness tear of supraspinatus tendon with retraction of the tendon and reduced bulk of the supraspinatus muscle with associated superior subluxation of humerus with AC arthropathic changes causing ganglion cyst and incidental finding of superior labrum anterior and posterior tear. AC cysts are further divided into Type 1 and Type 2. Repeated aspirations of these masses are not advised, as they often recur and repeated attempts at aspiration may lead to formation of a draining fistula. MRI geyser sign is highly suggestive of a benign process, which suggests underlying rotator cuff pathology.