Ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration in calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder.

Tendinopathy is a common pathology; calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder is less frequent and there are controversies regarding its treatment. The aim was to study the short-term efficiency of ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration in patients with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder, and compare the results with other treatment techniques. The second aim was to study the shape of the acromion in calcifying tendinitis and correlate this with the shape of the acromion in the general population. 13 patients diagnosed with calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder were treated using an ultrasound and radiology study. They underwent the Constant and Oxford questionnaire to assess shoulder pain and function. The technique employed was ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration. Two groups were formed: group 1 with the aspirated patients; group 2 with patients in which calcification was fragmented. The patients were monitored after 1 month and 3 months from commencement of treatment. The treated patients consisted of seven men and six women, aged between 40 and 57. In the functional assessment of the shoulder prior to treatment and 3 months following treatment, the difference in the Constant score was 58.69 points and 17.38 points in the Oxford score. The differences were statistically significant (p=0.001) for both scores. In the clinical assessment and in the decrease of calcification, better results are obtained in the group that had the calcium deposits aspirated, compared to the other group where calcification was fragmented. Patients that had calcification removed had better clinical results than patients that did not. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration is a good treatment.

Citation

J S S López, F B Pazos, A R Valero, D M Silván, T F F Jaén. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration in calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. British journal of sports medicine. 2013 Jun;47(9):e2

PMID: 23667029

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