Florian M. Buck1, Holger Grehn2, Bernhard Jost2, Monika Hilbe3, Silvana Manzanell4, Juerg Hodler1
1Department of Radiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; 2Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; 3Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; 4MSRU, Equine Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, ZH, Switzerland
Problem: MR signal alterations of the rotator cuff tendons are incompletely understood. Method: MR signal of cadaveric rotator cuff tendons was compared to histological changes. Results: Compared to normal tendon, mucoid degeneration is hyperintense in T2w fs and PDw fs sequences. For the evaluation of the tendon diameter involved, T2w fs sequences were superior to T1w or PDw fs sequences. Chondromatous metaplasia is common in rotator cuff tendons. Compared to normal tendon it is hyperintense in T1w, T2w fs, and PDw fs sequences. Conclusion: Tendon hyperintensity can be caused by a number of different histological abnormalities. Their conspicuity depends on the type of sequence.