An observational study in Rotator Cuff Injuries, Rotator Cuff Tear and Muscular Atrophy, sponsored by Assiut University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-23.
Sponsored by Assiut University · Observational
Rotator cuff disorders are among the most frequent musculoskeletal causes of shoulder pain, weakness, and limited movement. In many individuals with rotator cuff disease, the damaged muscles gradually shrink (muscle atrophy) and become replaced by fat tissue (fatty infiltration), particularly involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles. These structural changes can impair shoulder function, reduce the likelihood of successful tendon repair surgery, and increase the risk of recurrent tears.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the established standard for assessing rotator cuff muscle health, but it is expensive, time-consuming, and not suitable for all individuals. Musculoskeletal ultrasound offers an accessible, real-time alternative, and shear wave elastography (SWE) adds the capability to quantitatively measure tissue stiffness.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and validity of combining conventional ultrasound with shear wave elastography to assess rotator cuff muscle quality, specifically fatty infiltration and muscle atrophy, in comparison with reference MRI or CT scans.
Participants aged 18 years or older with suspected rotator cuff disorders who have had a qualifying shoulder MRI or CT scan within the previous 12 months will undergo an ultrasound and shear wave elastography examination of the affected shoulder. Researchers will calculate shear wave velocity and muscle occupation ratios to assess muscle stiffness and volume, and compare these results to validated MRI grading scales (the Goutallier classification for fat infiltration and the Warner staging system for muscle atrophy).
631 studies on the registry are indexed under Rotator Cuff Injuries; 156 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 70 is close to the median of 70 across 145 observational studies indexed under Rotator Cuff Injuries.
Browse Rotator Cuff Injuries studies →Assiut University is the lead sponsor of 5,078 studies on the registry; 2,178 are open to participants now.
Of its 14 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 0 (0%) have results posted.
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Adult patients presenting to or referred to the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at Assiut University Hospitals with clinical suspicion of a rotator cuff disorder (shoulder pain, weakness, or restricted range of motion). Eligible participants include individuals who have undergone a shoulder MRI or CT examination within the previous 12 months that includes the standard oblique-sagittal plane required for evaluating supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle quality.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Adult patients aged 18 years or older presenting with clinical suspicion of a rotator cuff disorder (shoulder pain, weakness, and/or restricted range of motion) who have an available shoulder MRI or CT scan performed within the previous 12 months. All participants undergo high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound combined with shear wave elastography (SWE) to evaluate the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles for shear wave velocity (SWV), visual Goutallier stage, and muscle occupation ratio. These index test measurements are correlated with reference standard MRI/CT assessments (Goutallier grading for fatty infiltration, Warner stage for muscle atrophy, and occupation ratio).
Correlation Between Supraspinatus Shear Wave Velocity and MRI Goutallier Grade
Evaluates the diagnostic correlation between supraspinatus muscle shear wave velocity (SWV) and fatty infiltration staged on reference-standard MRI. Supraspinatus SWV is quantitatively measured in meters per second (m/s) using high-resolution ultrasound across four quadrants (anterosuperior, posterosuperior, anteroinferior, posteroinferior) to calculate the mean SWV (mSWV). MRI fatty infiltration is graded using the Goutallier classification (Grade 0: no fat; Grade 1: fatty streaks; Grade 2: \<50% fat; Grade 3: 50% fat; Grade 4: \>50% fat). The correlation between mSWV and Goutallier grade is assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ranging from -1.0 to +1.0, where higher positive values reflect stronger agreement between increased shear wave stiffness and higher degrees of fatty degeneration.
Time frame: Baseline
No study locations are listed for this record.
Start is estimated for Oct 2026; primary completion for Oct 2027, 12 months later.
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This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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