Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for rotator cuff tears in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Smith, TO ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1673-2954, Back, T, Toms, AP and Hing, CB (2011) Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for rotator cuff tears in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Radiology, 66 (11). pp. 1036-1048. ISSN 1365-229X

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Abstract

Aim To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound to detect partial and complete thickness rotator cuff tears based on all available clinical trials. Materials and methods An electronic search of databases registering published and unpublished literature was conducted. All diagnostic accuracy studies that directly compared the accuracy of ultrasound (the index test) to either arthroscopic or open surgical findings (the reference test) for rotator cuff tear were included. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the QUADAS form. When appropriate, pooled sensitivity and specificity analysis was conducted, with an assessment of the summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for each analysis. Results Sixty-two studies assessing 6007 patients and 6066 shoulders were included. Ultrasonography had good sensitivity and specificity for the assessment of partial thickness (sensitivity 0.84; specificity 0.89), and full-thickness rotator cuff tears (sensitivity 0.96; specificity 0.93). However, the literature poorly described population characteristics, assessor blinding, and was based on limited sample sizes. The literature assessing transducer frequency was particularly small in size. Conclusion Ultrasonography is an appropriate radiological technique for the assessment of rotator cuff tears with an acceptable sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic test accuracy of ultrasound is superior for the detection of full-thickness compared to partial-thickness cuff tears. Further study assessing the effect of transducer frequency is warranted.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Allied Health Professions (former - to 2013)
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Rehabilitation
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Depositing User: Rhiannon Harvey
Date Deposited: 14 Dec 2011 17:03
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 00:28
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/35722
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2011.05.007

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