Question 432
{"accessible":false,"alternatives":[{"id":2169,"text":"increased acromiohumeral interval \u003e7 mm"},{"id":2170,"text":"increased supraspinatus opacity"},{"id":2171,"text":"spur formation on the superior surface of the acromion"},{"id":2168,"text":"superior humeral subluxation"}],"archived":false,"correctAlternativeId":2168,"explanation":"\u003cp\u003ePlain radiographs are typically normal in acute rotator cuff tears with chronic tears showing degenerative-type changes:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emay show a decreased\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/articles/acromiohumeral-interval\"\u003eacromiohumeral interval\u003c/a\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026lt;7 mm on\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/articles/shoulder-ap-glenoid\"\u003etrue AP shoulder radiograph\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;in chronic tears\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026lt;2 mm on an 'active abduction' view in acute tears\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emay show decreased supraspinatus opacity and decreased bulk due to fatty atrophy in chronic tears\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehumeral subluxation superiorly may be seen in chronic tears\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emay show features of\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"/articles/acromial-impingement\"\u003eacromial impingement\u003c/a\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003espur formation on the undersurface of acromioclavicular joint\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eacromion with an inferolateral tilt seen on outlet view (i.e. modified 'Y' view)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/articles/acromial-types\"\u003etype III acromion\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esecondary degenerative changes: sclerosis, subchondral cysts, osteolysis, and notching/pitting of greater tuberosity\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e","id":432,"imageUrl":null,"imageAttribution":null,"imageAttributionCaseInfo":null,"firstQuestionPath":"/questions/2272","nextQuestionPath":null,"relatedArticles":[{"id":1995,"title":"Rotator cuff","link":"/articles/rotator-cuff?lang=us"}],"alsoUsedIn":[],"stem":"\u003cp\u003eRegarding plain radiograph findings of chronic rotator cuff tears, which of the following is most likely to be present?\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e","menuLinks":[{"text":"Report problem with question","url":"https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfO3soWYhOjJ7yErSysyCe5V4A1CqW7WK3rDA7MtAkecMGqNw/viewform?entry.1624461248\u0026entry.553583435=https://radiopaedia.org/questions/432"}],"attemptsPercentages":[{"alternativeId":"2168","percentage":49},{"alternativeId":"2170","percentage":13},{"alternativeId":"2171","percentage":13},{"alternativeId":"2169","percentage":25}],"promptToLogin":false,"questionManager":false,"articleId":"rotator-cuff-tear"}