Abstract
Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a prolonged and distressing shoulder disease classified into 4 stages. It is well documented that an earlier diagnosis during the initial stages could lead to timeous therapeutic intervention, ultimately decreasing the duration of the disease. Diagnosis of AC is considered to be clinical in nature with MRI able to assist in a diagnosis during the later stages of the disease. Recent advances in the literature has suggested ultrasound to have significant potential in aiding an early diagnosis of the disease which ultimately served as motivation for this research. The aim of this study was, therefore, to establish the relationship between different ultrasound features and the clinical diagnosis of early AC (stage 1 and 2). Features evaluated are in accordance with pathophysiological changes associated with the disease and include hypoechoic changes seen in the rotator interval (RI) with B-mode imaging, increased vascularity in the RI with conventional Doppler methods, colour Doppler (CD) and power Doppler (PDUS), and thickening of the coraco-humeral ligament (CHL). There is, furthermore, paucity in the literature regarding the contribution of newly introduced advanced Doppler software in the form of superb micro vascular imaging (SMI) in demonstrating vascularity in the RI of patients clinically diagnosed with early AC, which further warranted this investigation. The study was conducted in two private settings in Tshwane, Gauteng with 40 participants clinically diagnosed with early AC included in the sample. The asymptomatic contralateral shoulder of all participants served as a control group in order to confirm the significance of the sonographic findings while also excluding involvement of the said asymptomatic shoulder. Data was collected in a methodical manner which is clearly stipulated in order to ensure reproducibility. A second rater evaluated all images to assess inter-observer reliability...
M.Tech. (Radiography)