• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate coracohumeral distance (CHD) in patients with or without subcoracoid impingement with hypothesis that patients with subcoracoid impingement would have narrower CHD. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients with subacromial impingement were evaluated. The subjects with subcoracoid impingement which was affirmed clinically and confirmed by ultrasound guided subcoracoid injection (n=28) was compared with patients with subacromial impingement only (n=96). Patients with stiffness and rotator cuff tear were excluded. Absolute CHD was measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) axial images and on ultrasound with the humerus in neutral position and internal rotation. Also relative ratio of distance difference (RRDD) defined as the difference of CHD in neutral position and internal rotation compared with absolute CHD in neutral on ultrasound was also measured. Results: The distance measured in neutral position was similar between US imaging and MRI (p>0.05) and both measurements did not have significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). On ultrasound, the difference in CHD in internal rotation between the two groups nearly met the level of significance (p=0.07). No significant difference of CHD difference in two humeral positions was seen between the two groups. However, RRDD value was significantly greater in subcoracoid impingement group (p<0.05). Conclusion: No significant difference of CHD was seen between the subcoracoid impingement group and the control group. RRDD value was greater in subcoracoid impingement group suggesting that individualized coracohumeral distance in internal rotation should be taken into account when assessing patients with subcoracoid impingement.