The goal of this study was to evaluate the added value of sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the supraspinatus tendon by comparison with a standard MRI protocol for the evaluation of the rotator cuff.

This retrospective single center study included 100 patients referred for MRI for suspected rotator cuff injuries. Two observers compared sagittal T2-weighted fat-suppressed orthogonal images of the distal portion of the supraspinatus muscle (“cuff” protocol) to those acquired according to the standard MRI protocol, which focuses on the glenoid. The two observers evaluated the appearance of each rotator cuff tendon and indicated whether the “cuff protocol” facilitated interpretation.

The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of lesions ranged from 79 to 97% and 80 to 99% respectively. The interobserver variability coefficient was good for the supraspinatus (k=0.744). The new sequence helped localize and characterize rotator cuff injuries in 24–40% of the cases for the supraspinatus, in particular for partial tears and tendinopathies.

The results of the specific MRI “cuff” protocol focusing on the supraspinatus are good, and helps facilitate interpretation of MRIs of the rotator cuff by non-specialist radiologists, in particular of the supraspinatus muscle.