Published in:
01-06-2019 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Original Article
Bursal lipohematoma: a CT sign of full thickness rotator cuff tear in patients with proximal humerus fractures
Published in: Emergency Radiology | Issue 3/2019
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Purpose
The main purpose of the study is to determine if the presence of a particular computed tomography (CT) imaging finding, a bursal lipohematoma, portends the presence of a concomitant rotator cuff tear (RCT) in patients with proximal humerus fractures by reviewing previous CTs.
Methods
Three hundred eighty-six CT scans were retrospectively reviewed by two board-certified radiologists to determine the presence of a proximal humerus fracture and to assess for the presence of a subacromial/subdeltoid or subcoracoid bursal hematoma. The medical record including operative documentation was then examined in the patients with proximal humerus fractures, with or without a concomitant bursal lipohematoma.
Results
Of the surgically managed patients, four had an intraoperative diagnosis of RCT. The preoperative CT scans of all of these patients demonstrated a bursal lipohematoma. Additionally, a non-surgically managed patient with a subacromial/subdeltoid bursal lipohematoma on CT scan was found to have a RCT on subsequent MRI. Of note, a rotator cuff tear was not documented in operative reports of patients with CT scans that were not found to contain a bursal lipohematoma.
Conclusions
Bursal lipohematoma is a potentially useful preoperative CT sign of full thickness rotator cuff tear in patients with proximal humerus fractures, providing the clinician with more information in the optimization of the management approach.