Can the role of the acromion index in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear be redefined with a different measurement technique?

Abstract

Background: Many radiographic parameters associated with rotator cuff tears (RCT) have been described. Our aim is to measure the capacity to predict RCT by reinterpreting the Acromion index (AI) with a new radiographic measurement technique. Methods: The shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) report of a total of 62 patients and AI measured with the new technique in shoulder radiographs were evaluated. On shoulder radiographs, the glenohumeral length was identified as the length between the lateral humerus tuberculum majus and the anterior midpoint of the glenoid joint. The glenoacromial length was also defined from a different perspective as the length between the lateral tip of the acromion and the anterior midpoint of the glenoid joint. Results: There was no significant difference in glenohumeral length between patients with complete and partial RCT and those without RCT (p value=0.163). There was no significant difference in glenoacromial length between these three groups of patients (Pvalue=0.110). It was concluded that there was no significant difference between the three groups of patients in terms of AI that we redefined (Pvalue=0.095). Conclusion: AI of the glenohumeral and glenoacromial lengths, which were redefined with a different measurement technique on the shoulder radiography, did not yield statistically significant results in the diagnosis of shoulder RCT.