The pattern of MRI findings in patients with shoulder pain at three imaging centres in Nairobi

Abstract

Introduction. Shoulder pain is a common reason for visiting a physician. It is the third most common cause of musculoskeletal disorder after low backache and cervical pain in USA. No data are available about our local population MRI findings of patients with shoulder pain despite having an MRI machine in our country since 1996. Objective. This study was designed to establish the pattern of the findings seen at MR imaging among patients with shoulder pain at three imaging centers in Nairobi. Study design. This was a prospective cross sectional descriptive study. Study Methodology. The study was conducted for a period of six months between the months of June 2008 and the month of December 2008. 70 patients referred for MR imaging were scanned at the three imaging centers. The date of scanning, age, sex and referring clinician were documented. The MR findings were documented. The data was eventually analyzed using computer software. Results There were 38 (54.3(Yo) male and 32(45.7%) female patients scanned. The age ranged from 20 to 86years. The mean age was 48.0 years. The 46 - 60years had the most lesions. Patients below 30years were 9(12.9%) and over 30years were 61(87.1%). A total of 120 lesions were seen. The right shoulder had most pathology with 104(86.7%) lesions. The commonest lesion was tendinosis with 34(28.3%) lesions and was seen more on the right shoulder. Rotator cuff tears were 20 (16.7%) and mostly involved the supraspinatus tendon. Degenerative disease lesions were 13 (l0.8%). Conclusion. The right shoulder had more pathology compared to the left. Tendinosis of the supraspinatus tendon was the commonest pathology. In rotator cuff tears, supraspinatus tendon was more frequently involved.