Cystic Changes at Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus Tendon Insertion Sites

An association between rotator cuff tears and bony abnormalities of the greater tuberosity has been suggested based on radiographs. More recent work with MRI, however, has shown that not all greater tuberosity cysts are created equal. Cysts at the infraspinatus insertion (posterior cysts) are more common than those associated with the supraspinatus and are not associated with rotator cuff pathology. On the other hand, cysts at the suraspinatus insertion (anterior cysts) are closely associated with cuff disorders.

References

Fritz LB, Ouellette HA, O'Hanley TA, Kassarjian A, Palmer WE. Cystic changes at supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon insertion sites: association with age and rotator cuff disorders in 238 patients. Radiology. 2007 Jul;244(1):239-48.