Full Thickness Supraspinatus Tear

Here is an example of a full thickness supraspinatus tear with partial tendon retraction to the level of the AC joint. There is a joint effusion and fluid in the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa. The tear is acute. No atrophy of the supraspinatus muscle belly has occurred. The infraspinatus tendon is intact. T1 and T2 weighted coronal images are displayed from anterior to posterior.

T1 weighted coronal images:

T2 weighted coronal images (there is some motion artefact):

A second example of a full thickness tear (in a different patient), without significant tendon retraction is shown below. Coronal T1, T2 and STIR images are given. The last image also shows a degenerate cyst at the supraspinatus tendon insertion into the humeral head.

For a further example of full thickness tear click here.