Magnetic resonance imaging-based fat infiltration grading improves reparability prediction in massive rotator cuff tears.

purposeThis study aims to investigate the extent of fat infiltration (FI) in the rotator cuff (RC) muscles in more medial slices from the Y-shaped view (Y-view) on shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and assess whether these slices provide a more accurate prediction of the repairability of massive RC tears (massive RCTs).

methodsThe retrospective study included 57 patients with massive RCTs who successfully underwent arthroscopic surgery between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023. Patients were categorized into two groups: the irreparable group and the reparable group. All patients underwent shoulder MRI covering the region from the acromion to the medial border of the scapula in oblique coronal and oblique sagittal orientations. The FI stage of the RC was assessed across three different views to determine which view most effectively predicts the repairability of patients with massive RCTs.

resultsThe FI stage of the infraspinatus (IS) muscle across three distinct views demonstrated a significant correlation with the repairability of massive RCTs. The FI stage was more severe in the irreparable group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the area under the curve for the 1/2 scapula view (0.737) and the most severe view (0.745) exceeded that of the traditional Y-view (0.644). Paired-sample ROC curve analysis revealed a significant difference between the most severe view and the traditional Y-view. The number of slices from the Y-view to the 1/2 scapula view was 5.89 ± 1.2. The most severe view of the IS was defined as the slice indicating the most severe FI stage, which was observed in at least two slices (84% probability) or exclusively in a single slice (16% probability).

conclusionsThis study's conclusions are based on the following findings: (1) Applying the Goutallier classification confirmed that FI in massive RCTs can extend medially to the Y-view, with the most severe FI not confined to a standard anatomical plane; (2) The concept of the "most severe view"-a nonstandardized, non-reproducible MR plane-reflects the area of peak FI. In predicting the reparability of massive RCTs, FI assessment of the IS muscle from this view demonstrates certain advantages over the traditional Y-view; however, its predictive value remains moderate. Future research should therefore focus on developing improved imaging strategies and clarifying the precise relationship between FI progression and clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV; case-control study.