MRI arthrogram: procedure and experience

On Oct 28th I got my MRI arthrogram done. Here’s a summary of the technique: 

The right shoulder was examined with ultrasound for anatomy and landmarks. Using sonographic guidance and sterile technique, 10 cc of dilute gadolinium (contrast molecule) and xylocaine (numbing agent) solution was injected intra-articularly using a 25G needle (that’s a pretty small needle, don’t worry). The shoulder was lightly exercised and MRI of the shoulder was performed, consisting of axial, oblique sagittal and coronal FATSAT T1W and oblique coronal T2W images using a dedicated shoulder coil on a superconducting high-field magnet.

The whole process took about an hour, although the 5 scans took 2-6 minutes each; I was only laying in the machine for about 20-25 minutes - pretty simple. Here’s where the news was good and then worse. If you want you can skip the paragraph below with the details and go straight to the summary:

Findings: There is no extravasation of contrast into the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa. However, coronal T2W images show a 6 mm full-thickness tear in the distal supraspinatus tendon near the critical zone, this likely represents a small contained a full-thickness tear with scarring. Small partial-thickness articular surface tears are also seen in the distal infraspinatus tendon. The subscapularis, teres minor and long biceps tendons remain intact. No labral tears or paralabral cysts are demonstrated. There is no focal cartilage defect or intra-articular body. There is mild acromioclavicular joint hypertrophy and a laterally downsloping type II acromion. There is type II insertion of the anterior joint capsule. No rotator cuff muscle volume loss is demonstrated.

Summary:

1. No evidence of labral tears. Yay!
2. I have a 6mm full-thickness (the full way through) tear of my supraspinatus tendon. Boo!