Les calcifications « molles » de l'épaule. Intérêt de l'échographie

Calcifiying tendinitis of the rotator cuff is a frequent reason of shoulder symptoms. Following the French Society of Arthroscopy, four types of calcifications have been described based on X-rays analysis. While types C or D are separate entities, calcifications with sharp edges (type A or B) may have different consistency from soft to tough and chalky. Ultrasonography allows assessing this consistency in addition to other information on tendon integrity and presence of a subacromial bursitis. Ultrasonography defines three types of calcifying tendinitis with or without posterior attenuation or with a shadow cone. Analysis of density by CT-scan and by needling suggests that the calcifying tendinitis without posterior attenuation is soft whereas those with a shadow cone are though and those with posterior attenuation have intermediate density. These observations may be helpful in therapeutic choice of calcifying tendinitis.