Evaluation Of Abnormalities Of The Shoulder Rotator Cuff In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus By Two-dimensional High-frequency Ultrasonography And Power Doppler Imaging

Objective: To evaluate the value of two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasonography and power Doppler imaging for judgement of the abnormalities of the shoulder rotator cuff in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods: A total of 60 patients of T2 DM were enrolled and divided into two groups:group B(30 cases,the course?10 years),group C(30cases,the course>10 years).Thirty healthy subjects were enrolled in group A as normal control.The echotexture of the shoulder rotator cuff and blood flow were observed by two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasonography and power Doppler imaging.The thickness of the long head of the Biceps(BT),Subscapularis tendon(SUB),Supraspinatus tendon(SUP)and Infraspinatus tendon(INF)were measured.Results: The ultrasound imaging of each normal tendon was displayed as string like homogeneous hyperechogenicity interrupted by thin hypoechogenicity in longitudinal section.The abnormal ultrasound findings,such as hypoechoic areas,heterogenous echogenicity,or irregular edges,were more frequently detected in group C than group A of BT,SUB and INF,as well as in group B and group C of SUP(all P<0.05).The ratio of calcification of group B and group C was larger than that of group A(P<0.05).The ratios of abnormalities of the surrounding tissue in BT of group C was larger than that of group A(P<0.05).In both sides,the thicknesses of each tendon in group B and group C were greater than those of group A(all P<0.05),and the thicknesses of BT and SUP inthe dominant side in group C were greater than those of group B(all P<0.05).The thickness of BT in group C were greater in the dominant side than that in the other side(P<0.05).There were no significant difference among the groups of A,B and C in gradings of blood flow.Conclusion: Two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasonography can clearly show the morphological changes of the rotator cuff tendon and surrounding tissue structures,.The abnormal ultrasound findings,such as hypoechoic areas,heterogenous echogenicity,irregular edges,calcification,or partial tears were more frequently detected in T2 DM patients increased with the duration.PDI technology can display the internal blood flow of each tendon because of its sensitive characteristics to low velocity small blood flow display.The abnormal echotextures,thickness and internal blood flow of the shoulder rotator cuff in the patients of T2 DM can be evaluated by two-dimensional high-frequency ultrasonography and power Doppler imaging objectively.