Objective:

To explore a simple and accurate approach of assessing subacromial bursa (SAB) by comparing the ultrasound findings between patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and healthy volunteers.

Methods:

Fifty-eight patients with totally 65 shoulders diagnosed with SIS and 50 healthy volunteers were recruited. Ultrasound of the shoulders was performed in all participants using four standard static views (both short-axis view and long-axis view of the supraspinatus tendon and the subscapularis tendon) to evaluate bursal effusion and bursal thickness.

Results:

The incidences of increas

ed bursal thickness and bursal effusion were statistically higher in SIS patients than that in the controls (

2

=71.265

P

＜0.001;

2

=15.345

P

＜0.001). On static views

bursal thickness measured on the short axis view of the supraspinatus was greater than that measured on the other three views (all

P

＜0.05).

Conclusion:

Increased thickness and effusion of SAB in SIS patients can be accurately detected by ultrasound

and bursal thickness can be measured on the short axis view of the can supraspinatus simplely and accurately.