Rupture of the rotator cuff. Quantification of indirect signs in standard radiology and the Leclercq maneuver

The roentgenograms and the "Leclercq's manoeuvre" of 105 patients who had a shoulder arthrography were reviewed. We differentiated two groups: One with a rotator cuff tear. The other without a rotator cuff tear. The space between the acromion and the head of the humerus was measured on rotation zero degree and external rotational roentgenograms. When the acromio-humeral space was less than 8 mm, it was always correlated with a rotator cuff tear (specificity = 1). If at least tow of the following signs were present, there was in most cases a rotator cuff tear (specificity = 0.96): Sclerosed acromion. Spur of the acromion. Cystic changes around the greater tuberosity. Rounded tuberosities. Inferior gleno-humeral spur. The "Leclercq's manoeuvre" was considered positive either when there was an acromio-humeral space narrowing compared with the other side, or when there was an upward subluxation of the head of the humerus. When positive there was always a rotator cuff tear (sensibility = 0.7; specificity = 1).