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Diagnosis of old lesions of the rotator cuff is clinically and sonographically challenging. To improve the sonographic diagnosis of old rotator cuff tears the index was developed.In a prospective study 100 patients were examined by ultrasound to evaluate standard measures of rotator cuff diameters in relation to the long biceps tendon. The compensating hypertrophy of the biceps tendon was sonographically quantified in relation to the rotator cuff diameter.The pathological study group included 50 patients with an old lesion of rotator cuff (3 months). The control group consisted of 50 patients without any lesions. Comparison of both groups revealed a significantly higher biceps/rotator cuff ratio (p0.05). Data higher than 0.8 represent a pathological ratio (Index positive), the standard is 0.5. The index is independent of sex and age. There are no significant index changes measurable in acute tears of the rotator cuff.The index helps to improve sensitivity in diagnosis of old rotator cuff tears by ultrasound.

Study of the anatomy of the fetal hip joint in 115 pregnancies between 13. to 40.th weeks of gestation by ultrasound.Sonoanatomy was studied by high resolution ultrasound (Acuson 128). For investigation of vascular supply of the fetal hip, colour-coded Doppler sonography was performed. In-vivo studies on vascular supply were correlated with histological sections of 34 fetal hip specimens, according to the conceptional age of 13-35 weeks.Vascular studies of the proximal end of the human femur showed a supply by the lateral and medial femoral circumflex arteries branched from the femoral artery or the deep femoral artery. After 22 weeks of gestation the acetabular artery supplied by the obturator artery was visible by means of Doppler sonography. At the end of pregnancy, large numbers of intraosseous blood vessels are demonstrable within the femoral head and neck.The basic arterial pattern of the hip joint is established at birth. Proximal end of the growing femur, acetabulum, os ilium and labrum acetabulare are clearly visible by ultrasound.

Recent advances in ultrasound technology now permit direct access to foetal structures with visualisation of foetal hip development. Since early diagnosis and treatment of congenital hip dislocation significantly influence outcome of the disease, ultrasound screening of newborn infants proved to be the most effective method. In our study assessment of the foetal hip has been carried out to provide basic knowledge on foetal hip development from 14.-40. weeks of gestation. Technique of foetal hip ultrasound is presented. Diagnosis should include qualitative and quantitative descriptions of foetal hip structures. Alpha and Beta angles according to Graf's classification are frequently measurable from the 21st week of gestation, but tend to be more reliable towards the end of pregnancy.