140 Abnormal signal in the rotator cuff musculature on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be secondary to a rotator cuff tear or nerve abnormality. A rotator cuff tear will result in muscular atrophy and increased T1-weighted MRI signal secondary to fatty infiltration. Denervation will in first result in neurogenic edema (bright on T2-weighted MRI), followed by atrophy. The pattern of muscle involvement is helpful in differentiating these etiologies of abnormal muscle signal (Table 140.1). Muscular atrophy secondary to rotator cuff tear is easily diagnosed. However, infraspinatus muscle atrophy can occur without an infraspinatus tendon tear. Infraspinatus muscle atrophy is usually associated with an anterior (supraspinatus and/or subscapularis) tendon tear.1
Abnormal Signal in the Rotator Cuff Muscles
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