Acromio-clavicular joint cyst associated with a complete rotator cuff tear - a case report

Karen M McCreesh; Sara J Riley; James M Crotty

doi:10.1016/j.math.2013.11.004

Acromio-clavicular joint cyst associated with a complete rotator cuff tear - a case report

Man Ther. 2014 Oct;19(5):490-3. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2013.11.004. Epub 2013 Nov 23.

Authors

Karen M McCreesh¹, Sara J Riley², James M Crotty³

Affiliations

¹ Dept of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Academic Unit of Diagnostic Imaging, School of Healthcare, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
³ Dept of Radiology, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.

PMID: 24331701
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2013.11.004

Abstract

This case report describes a patient with an acromio-clavicular joint (ACJ) cyst, associated with a complete tear of the supraspinatus tendon, and the related arthropathy. Ultrasound was a suitable imaging modality to make the diagnosis, and rule out other pathologies. Full assessment of the rotator cuff must be carried out in the presence of ACJ cysts due to their common co-existence with large cuff tears. Cyst aspiration is not a suitable treatment, due to the high likelihood of recurrence. Optimal treatment requires management of the underlying rotator cuff tear.

Keywords: ACJ cyst; Rotator cuff tear; Ultrasound.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Accidental Falls
Acromioclavicular Joint / diagnostic imaging*
Aged
Cysts / diagnostic imaging*
Disability Evaluation
Female
Humans
Pain Measurement
Rotator Cuff / diagnostic imaging*
Rotator Cuff Injuries*
Ultrasonography
Watchful Waiting