健康股骨髁间窝的MRI测量及临床意义研究

[目的]对健康髁间窝进行形态学测量、分型并年龄相关分析,为髁间窝形态相关疾病发病机制的阐明提供依据。[方法]对351例(男166例182膝,女154例169膝)膝关节MRI检查未见明显异常者进行轴位及冠状位测量,依轴位形态对髁间窝分型,并分析各指标与年龄的相关性。[结果]对200例膝进行分型,其中A型112例,占56%;U型83例,占41.5%;W型5例,占2.5%,不同性别间各型比例无统计学差异;无论轴位还是冠状位男性髁间窝宽度及深度均大于女性;按性别及髁间窝形态分层后,无论性别、轴位还是冠状位A型髁间窝宽度均最小,W型最大,U型居中;深度A型最深,W型最浅,U型居中;髁间窝宽度及深度与年龄在一定程度上均呈负相关,但除男性A型髁间窝轴位深度外,其余指标与年龄的相关性均无统计学意义。[结论]髁间窝形态的A/U/W分型中A型最多,W型最少,U型居中;男性髁间窝宽度及深度均大于女性;A型髁间窝最深、最窄,W型最宽、最浅,U型居中;髁间窝宽度及深度与年龄的相关性不明显。     

评价成人前交叉韧带损伤与髁间窝形态的关系:一项高分辨率MRI研究

[目的]分析髁间窝形态与前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)损伤风险的关系。[方法]回顾兰州大学第二医院2013年6月~2015年1月期间收治的150例符合纳入标准的ACL损伤患者作为病例组,平均年龄36.3岁(18~60岁),男女比例为1.4:1。对照组为按照年龄、性别与病例组1:1配对的参加体检的健康人群,共150例。分别在膝关节高分辨率MRI冠状位和轴位扫描图像上测量髁间窝宽度、股骨双髁宽度,统计髁间窝分型,计算髁间窝宽度指数(notch width index,NWI)。[结果]髁间窝宽度、NWI单变量Logistic回归分析结果:轴位髁间窝宽度[OR=0.865,95%CI(0.784,0.955),P=0.004]和冠状位髁间窝宽度[OR=0.879,95%CI(0.813,0.851),P=0.001]是ACL损伤的危险因素,轴位NWI[OR=0.000 02,95%CI(0.000,0.008),P=0.002]和冠状位NWI[OR=0.000 2,95%CI(0.000,0.010),P=0.001]是ACL损伤的高度危险因素。对病例组和对照组髁间窝分型的χ2检验结果显示:在男性女性合并的总体中两组分型无差异(P=0.792),但在女性中两组分型有显著性差异(P=0.025)。[结论]髁间窝宽度和NWI是ACL损伤的危险因素,其中NWI是高危因素;病例组和对照组的髁间窝分型在总体中无差异,但在女性中A型髁间窝可增加ACL损伤的风险。     

骨性关节炎与髁间窝狭窄之间关系的研究

[目的]探讨骨性关节炎(OA)与髁间窝狭窄、髁间窝形状之间的关系。[方法]观察MRI图像轴位序列上髁间窝形状,分为A、U、W三型。测量髁间窝宽度和股骨髁宽度,计算髁间窝宽度指数(NWI)。依据K-L评分,把OA患者分为轻度和中重度两组,分别与健康组对比,确定OA与髁间窝形状、NWI之间的关系。依据ROC曲线得出NWI界值,确定髁间窝狭窄的指标,明确髁间窝狭窄与髁间窝形状之间的关系。[结果]中重度OA组A型明显比健康组和轻度OA组多。健康、轻度OA、中重度OA组MRI图像轴位NWI分别为(0.272±0.018)、(0.268±0.015)、(0.259±0.018),中重度OA组NWI明显比其他两组小(P0.05),NWI与是否患中重度OA有显著的相关性(P0.01)。轴位NWI0.268可以作为髁间窝狭窄的依据。A型髁间窝易发生狭窄(P0.01)。[结论]中重度OA患者存在明显的髁间窝狭窄,其形状以A型多见。     

胫骨侧个性化髓外定位技术行人工全膝关节置换术后胫骨假体冠状位力线的评价研究

目的探讨人工全膝关节置换术(total knee arthroplasty,TKA)中应用胫骨侧个性化髓外定位技术截骨后胫骨假体冠状位力线情况。方法回顾分析2020年1月—2021年6月接受初次TKA且符合选择标准的170例(210膝)患者临床资料。其中,77例(96膝)胫骨侧采用传统髓外定位技术(传统定位组);93例(114膝)采用个性化髓外定位技术(个性化定位组),即结合胫骨解剖形态特点,在胫骨平台关节面选择个性化定位点作为髓外近端定位点。两组性别、年龄、身体质量指数、侧别、骨关节炎病程及Kellgren-Lawrence分级等一般资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。测量个性化定位组术前胫骨冠状位近、远端解剖轴形成的侧弓角(tibial bowing angle,TBA)并对胫骨轴线分型,分析个性化定位点位置分布规律。比较两组手术前后髋-膝-踝角(hip-knee-ankle angle,HKA)、胫骨远端外侧角(lateral distal tibial angle,LDTA),术后冠状位胫骨假体角(tibia component angle,TCA)及胫骨假体冠状位力线优良率。结果个性化定位组胫骨轴线分为直线型58膝(50.88%)、内弓型35膝(30.70%)、外弓型21膝(18.42%)。直线型者胫骨个性化定位点多位于外侧髁间棘高点(62.07%),内弓型者多位于内、外侧髁间棘之间区域(51.43%),外弓型者多位于外侧髁间棘外侧坡(57.14%)。两组组内手术前后HKA比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);手术前后LDTA比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组间术前LDTA、HKA及手术前后差值比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后TCA比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。传统定位组术后胫骨平台假体较个性化定位组更倾向于内翻。术后个性化髓外定位组胫骨假体冠状位力线优良率为96.5%(110/114),传统定位组为87.5%(84/96),差异有统计学意义(χ²=7.652,P=0.006)。结论 TKA胫骨侧冠状位截骨时采用个性化髓外定位技术可行,与传统髓外定位技术相比胫骨假体冠状位力线优良率更高。     

股骨髁间窝的影像学测量及其临床意义

目的:观测股骨髁间窝的形态及大小,以及与前交叉韧带损伤、性别、身高、体重的关系.方法:采用屈膝45.后前位投照法对62个正常人膝关节行股骨髁间窝穿通位摄片.在肌腱沟水平测量股骨髁间窝宽度及股骨髁宽并计算股骨髁间窝宽度指数.结果:正常髁间窝形状呈倒“U”形.62个髁间窝宽为(18.9±4.8)mm,男为(19.8±3.8)mm,女为(18.3±5.3)mm,(t=1.29,P＞ 0.05).髁间窝指数平均为0.24±0.05.髁间窝指数与身高(r=-0.11)、体重(r=-0.13)、年龄(r=-0.28)不相关.结论:屈膝45.髁间窝穿通位像可完整显示髁间窝的形态与宽度.该测量可为临床上股骨髁间窝相关疾病的诊断和治疗提供放射学基础.术前对髁间窝进行影像学测量有着重要临床意义.     

股骨髁间窝和前交叉韧带断面的3D TSE MRI测量

目的 运用各向同性3DTSEMRI测量股骨髁间窝和前交叉韧带(ACL)断面的大小,分析不同性别间的差异.方法 采集40名年轻健康志愿者40侧膝关节的3DTSEMRI容积数据,在工作站上重建并测量ACL和股骨髁间窝断面大小.变量间的相关性采用Pearson相关或偏相关分析,男女间均数的比较采用t检验.结果 男性ACL断面面积与髁间窝断面面积(r=0.733.P=0.000)、身高(r=0.564,P=0.028)相关,女性髁间窝形态指数与体重(r=0.482,P=0.037)弱负相关,男(r=0.457,P=0.043)女(r=0.768,P=0.000)身高均与体重相关;男女髁间窝和ACL大小差别有统计学意义(P=0.000).结论 年轻人群中男性的髁间窝和ACL较女性的大;男性髁间窝愈大、身材愈高,则ACL愈粗;女性体重愈重,髁间窝形态有稍高而窄的倾向.各向同性3DTSEMRI可作为无创性检查方法对活体股骨髁间窝和ACL进行精确评价.     

股骨髁间窝及胫骨平台后倾角的MRI测量与前交叉韧带损伤的相关性研究

目的应用MRI检查并结合关节镜,综合研究股骨髁间窝形态、髁间窝宽度、髁间窝宽度指数(NWI)、胫骨平台后倾角等与前交叉韧带(ACL)损伤间关系的相关性。方法选取本院自2015-01—2016-10行MRI检查与关节镜手术的103例ACL损伤,其中56例为关节稳定组(仅有MRI下交叉韧带长T_1、长T_2信号),47例为关节重建组(MRI下交叉韧带长T_1、长T_2信号合并关节镜下交叉韧带完全断裂),另选取50名健康者(正常组),观察并记录其髁间窝形态、髁间窝宽度、胫骨平台后倾角,并计算NWI。结果对于A形与U形髁间窝形态,关节稳定组与关节重建组比较,差异统计学有意义(χ2=21.105,P0.001);关节稳定组与正常组比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2=2.706,P=0.439)。关节稳定组与关节重建组2组髁间窝宽度、NWI、内侧胫骨平台倾斜角、外侧胫骨平台倾斜角比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。关节稳定组与正常组比较,关节稳定组髁间窝宽度、NWI均低于正常组,胫骨平台倾斜角均高于正常组,差异有统计学有意义(P0.05)。关节重建组与正常组比较,关节重建组髁间窝宽度、NWI均低于正常组,胫骨平台倾斜角均高于正常组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 A形髁间窝并不是ACL损伤的重要危险因素,但髁间窝形态与ACL损伤程度存在显著相关性,A形髁间窝患者ACL损伤程度更重。较低的髁间窝宽度、NWI以及高胫骨平台后倾角均是ACL损伤的重要危险因素。     

中国人膝关节跑步运动学性别差异研究

目的探讨中国人正常膝关节跑步运动学并比较性别差异。 方法对40名健康成年人(22名男性和18名女性)进行膝关节6-自由度(6-DOF)跑步运动学研究。应用SPSS v16.0软件进行统计分析,用单因素方差分析比较不同性别的运动学参数差异。 结果正常人跑步运动学存在性别差异,主要出现在内/外翻角度上,女性平均外翻角度大于男性(F＝5.563,P<0.05),摆动期最大外翻角度(F＝6.476,P<0.05)及平均角度(F＝12.397,P<0.01)大于男性,而男性的最大内翻角度大于女性(F＝8.425,P<0.01)。女性在摆动期内外旋活动度(F＝7.220,P<0.01)和前位移最大值(F＝5.966,P<0.05)大于男性。膝关节屈/伸、胫骨内/外位移和远/近位移等差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论跑步时膝关节运动学与性别相关,运动学差异主要存在于冠状面和横截面上。本研究提供了不同性别的正常青年中国人跑步运动学参数,可为预防伤害、疾病治疗及康复训练提供有价值的信息。     

手法松解结合针刺治疗膝骨关节炎临床效果及作用机制

目的探讨手法松解结合针刺对膝骨关节炎的临床效果及作用机制。 方法选取广州医科大学附属第一医院针灸门诊确诊为膝骨关节炎患者60例分为：手法松解结合针刺、机械推拿结合针刺、常规推拿结合针刺3组,分别对3组患者进行治疗,并在治疗前后行关节功能评定,关节超声及关节X线检测。另设健康对照组20例,研究结束后对收集的数据行方差分析及配对样本t检验。 结果3组患者治疗前后膝骨关节炎指数量表评分比较差异有统计学意义(t ＝8.382、5.681、5.335,均为P<0.01),胫股内侧间隙手法松解组治疗后与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);髌骨外上缘至股外上髁距离手法松解组治疗前与对照组比较有统计学意义(t ＝－0.433,P<0.05),3组治疗组治疗后与对照组比较有统计学意义(F＝4.395,P<0.05);治疗前后3组股四头肌肌腱弹性与健康对照组比较(治疗前F＝5.363,P<0.01;治疗后F＝5.250,P<0.01)及髌腱弹性与健康对照组比较减小(治疗前F＝17.068,P<0.01;治疗后F＝15.064,P<0.01)。 结论手法松解结合针刺治疗方法能够对膝骨关节炎患者关节内结构、关节周围肌群力学产生作用以及能促进膝骨关节炎症状改善及生活质量提高。     

基于MRI二维影像下股骨髁间窝的三维可视化研究

目的通过MRI二维影像对股骨髁间窝进行三维重建及测量,探讨虚拟股骨髁间窝成形术的可行性。方法 2009年9月-12月募集健康志愿者30名,男、女各15名,年龄20～30岁,身高150～185 cm,体重45～74 kg。排除膝关节疾病和手术史。根据性别不同将研究对象分为男性组和女性组,并将同性别的膝关节分为左膝及右膝2个亚组。对30名志愿者行双膝关节MRI扫描,将MRI二维图像导入交互式医学影像控制系统Mimics10.01,并对膝关节进行三维重建,通过三维图像测量获取髁间窝相关解剖学数据:髁间窝宽度(notch width,NW),内、外股骨髁宽度(condylar width,CW),髁间窝指数(notch width index,NWI)。收集2010年1月-3月收治的前交叉韧带(anteriorcruciate ligament,ACL)损伤患者膝关节三维图像,筛选出4例髁间窝狭窄(NWI≤0.2)的患者,在患者膝关节三维图像上虚拟髁间窝成形术,计算截骨厚度,并在ACL重建术中实施,评估移植物与髁间窝的撞击情况。结果男性组与女性组双侧股骨髁间窝三维模型的NW、CW比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),NWI比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。男性组内及女性组内左、右膝股骨髁间窝三维模型的NW、CW、NWI比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在ACL重建术中,根据术前测量结果行髁间窝成形术后患者的NWI达正常值(NWI>0.22),韧带重建后关节镜观察以及术后3个月随访时行基于MRI二维图像的数字化三维重建膝关节模型并测量发现重建韧带与髁间窝无撞击。结论计算机三维重建模型与实体的髁间窝形态有较高相似度,NWI可较好地反映髁间窝狭窄程度;计算机虚拟髁间窝成形术可为ACL重建提供术前参考,以避免术后移植物与髁间窝的撞击。     

Influence of morphometric intercondylar notch parameters in ACL ruptures

The most important anatomic risk factors in ACL lesions are the morphometric parameters of intercondylar notch. In the morphometric studies index of notch width and index of notch shape (NWI and NSI) are commonly used. The certain morphologic parameters of distal femoral part are used in calculation. Beside standard parameters we measured the maximal width of intercondylar notch and distal part of femur, which we used for calculation of maximal index of notch width and maximal index of notch shape (NWI max and NSI max). We compared two different methods of calculation of intercondylar notch indexes to find out which one represent anatomic risk factor and influence the ACL lesions. The indexes were measured in the two groups of patients (33) who have the history of knee injuries, the first group has document of ACL injuries and the second without ACL injuries (control one). The important difference between two groups was founded in NWI (p < 0.01) and NSI (p < 0.05). NWImax and NSImax do not show the difference (p > 0.05). The NWI and NSI importance is higher in males, and smaller in females. There is no difference in NWImax and NSImax (p > 0.05) comparing to the gender.     

Risk factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury in skeletally immature patients: analysis of intercondylar notch width using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The necessity for identification of risk factors for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, ACL injury has challenged many investigators. Many authors have reported lower Notch Width Index, NWI measured on radiographs in patients with midsubstance ACL lesions compared to control groups. Since a narrow intercondylar notch has been implicated as a possible risk factor related to ACL injury we decided to compare NWI measured on MRI scans between age-matched groups with acute ACL injury with those of the normal population. The purpose of this study was to measure intercondylar notch width on MRI scans in an immature population to determine if there was a difference between the population with ACL tears and a control group. We also wanted to assess age as a risk factor in an ACL injury population. We retrospectively analysed the MRI scans of 46 patients with ACL injuries and 44 patients with normal MRI findings who served as a control group for NWI measurements. For the ACL injury group we collected information from medical charts including age at the time of injury, gender, mechanism of injury, type of activity practised at the time of injury and prevalence of meniscal injury. Demographic data of the control group were comparable with those from the study group. We found a statistically significant (p < 0.001) difference in the mean value of the intercondylar notch width between normal knees (0.2691) and the ACL injury population (0.2415). In the ACL injury group we did not find differences in NWI values with regard to gender, involved side, mechanism of injury and type of sport practised at the time of injury. A narrower intercondylar notch was found to be associated with the risk of ACL rupture in an immature population. The young group of athletes with ACL injury needs further study to prospectively assess the risk of knee injuries.     

Evaluation of anatomic risk factors using magnetic resonance imaging in non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury

BackgroundThe purpose of our study was to compare the significance of the tibio-femoral morphological variables (notch width index, notch shape index, intercondylar notch angle, medial and lateral tibial slopes) in predicting non-contact ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries and to compare these factors between genders in South Asian population. The author hopes to provide a comprehensive analysis on the risk factors which would help in betterment of the patients at danger for anterior cruciate ligament injury.Materials and methodsA total of 110 MRI knees of patients with 55 subjects of noncontact ACL injury and 55 age and sex matched controls were included in a retrospective study. Notch width index, notch shape index, intercondylar notch angle were assessed in axial and coronal MR imaging along with medial and lateral posterior tibial slopes. Morphology of the notch was also assessed.ResultsACL injured group were found to have a statistically significant narrow notch width index and decreased intercondylar notch angle with increased lateral posterior tibial slope. Type-A notches were found to have increased risk of having ACL injuries. Gender comparative results showed no statistically significant differences.ConclusionACL tears are associated with decreased notch width index, intercondylar notch angle and increased lateral posterior tibial slope. Type-A notches are seen to have increased risk for ACL injuries.     

Correlation of intercondylar notch cross sections to the ACL size: a high resolution MR tomographic in vivo analysis

Introduction To correlate cross sections of the intercondylar notch to cross sections of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and to analyze gender-related differences in notch and ACL morphometry with an attempt to explain the observation that a small intercondylar notch and the female gender predispose to a rupture of the ACL. Material and methods High resolution MR imaging was performed on a 1.5 T magnet using a dedicated extremity-coil in ten left and ten right knee joints of 20 volunteers (10 male, 10 female, mean age 25 years) with no history of knee abnormalities. Continuous axial T2-weighted MR images perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ACL were acquired. Cross-sectional areas of the ACL midsubstance at the contact area to the posterior cruciate ligament were measured. For imaging and evaluation of the osseous limits of the intercondylar notch a 3D-dataset of the knee was acquired. Anterior, middle and posterior planes of the intercondylar notch were calculated and analyzed for measurement of the notch area A_N and notch width index NWI. The ratio of the ACL cross-sectional area of the ACL and the cross-sectional area of the notch was defined as the ACL notch index (ANI) and used as a standardized tool for evaluation. For statistical evaluation, linear regression analysis was performed. Mean values between male and female were compared using a t test. In addition, five matched pairs of male and female volunteers of same height were analyzed. Results Mean cross-sectional size of the ACL at the crossing with the PCL was 54.4 ± 20.4 mm². Regression analysis showed a significant correlation (P < 0.05) of the ACL cross-sectional area to the notch areas on all three planes and NWI, respectively. Comparison between the sexes revealed that female participants had significantly smaller cross-sectional areas of the ACL, the notch areas, the NWI and ANI. This difference was found for both the complete study group and the matched pairs of same height. Conclusions The smaller the intercondylar notch the smaller the cross-sectional area of the ACL midsubstance. In addition to the impingement of the ACL at the anterior and posterior roof of the notch, a biomechanically weaker ACL may be the reason for disposition to an ACL rupture in patients with a small intercondylar notch. Women have a thinner ACL midsubstance than men of the same height which may be one of the critical etiologic factors that predispose women to an ACL rupture.     

Morphology of the femoral intercondylar notch

BACKGROUND: During anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, proper femoral tunnel placement is important. The purpose of the present study was to characterize the osseous anatomy of the femoral intercondylar notch. METHODS: We studied the morphology of the femoral intercondylar notch in 200 human femora from skeletally mature donors, with specific attention being paid to the morphology of the ridge on the lateral wall of the intercondylar notch and the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch. The distances from the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch to the lateral intercondylar ridge and from the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch to the inlet of the intercondylar notch (notch depth) were measured at the nine, ten, and eleven o'clock positions for right knees and at the one, two and three o'clock positions for left knees. RESULTS: The lateral intercondylar ridge was present in 194 femora and absent in six. The mean distance from the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch to the lateral intercondylar ridge was 9.0, 11.0, and 12.7 mm at the nine, ten, and eleven o'clock positions in right knees and the one, two, and three o'clock positions in left knees, respectively. We observed three different types of morphology of the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch. The morphology of the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch was distinct in 183 of 200 specimens. A distinct, straight border (type 1) was seen in 175 femora (87.5%); a distinct, V-shaped border (type 2) was seen in eight (4%); and an indistinct border (type 3) was seen in seventeen (8.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The morphology of the femoral intercondylar notch varies little. Occasionally, the posterolateral rim of the intercondylar notch is not well-defined. In these knees, accurate placement of commercial femoral tunnel aiming guides may be difficult.     

Anterior cruciate ligament and intercondylar notch in the coronal oblique plane: anatomy complemented by magnetic resonance imaging in cruciate ligament-intact knees.

We assessed the anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and femoral intercondylar notch on cryosections from one cadaveric knee specimen in the coronal oblique plane oriented parallel to the intercondylar roof. We determined the course of the ACL, the widths of the cruciate ligaments at intersection, and the intercondylar notch configuration on coronal oblique plane magnetic resonance images in 51 adult cruciate ligament-intact knees (25 women, 26 men; age range, 16 to 47 years). The intercondylar notch widths were measured at the notch entrance, at the intersection of the ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and at the notch outlet. In the coronal oblique plane, the ACL exhibited a diagonal course from the central and medial part of the anterior intercondylar area of the tibia distally, across the lateral third of the intercondylar notch, to the intercondylar surface of the lateral femoral condyle proximally. At the cruciate ligament intersection, the absolute widths of the ACLs measured on average 6.1+/-1.1 mm in men and 5.2+/-1.0 mm in women representing 31.9% and 31.1% of the ACL/central intercondylar notch width ratios. The absolute widths of the PCLs measured on average 9.6+/-1.3 mm in men and 8.5+/-1.3 mm in women representing 50.4% and 51.4% of PCL/central intercondylar notch width ratios. On average for both groups, men and women, the absolute widths of the PCLs were significantly larger than the absolute widths of the ACLs. However, the relative widths of the cruciate ligaments with respect to corresponding intercondylar notch widths were not significantly different. In the coronal oblique plane, the intercondylar notch widths showed on average a significant decrease from posterior to intersection and from intersection to anterior. At notch outlet, the mean notch width measured 21.4 mm in men and 18.5 mm in women. At intersection, the mean notch width measured 19.1 mm in men and 16.6 mm in women. At notch entrance, the notch width measured 14.6+/-1.8 mm in men and 12.7+/-2.1 mm in women. We recommend magnetic resonance tomography of the knee in the coronal oblique plane oriented parallel to the intercondylar roof as the imaging modality of choice to visualize accurately the anatomic diagonal course of the ACL and its relation to the intercondylar notch and posterior cruciate ligament complex.     

The relationship of anterior cruciate ligament injuries with MRI based calculation of femoral notch width,notch width index,notch shape - A randomized control study

BackgroundACL injuries are infamously known for disability in young adults and require surgical reconstruction. The need of time is to predict predisposing factors and prevent ACL injuries.The incidence of ACL injuries has been associated with various factors related to the morphology of distal femur and proximal tibia.Hence, purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of morphology of distal femur by assessing Notch Width(NW), Notch Width Index (NWI), and Notch shape calculated preoperatively on MRI in association with an ACL tear.MethodsThe following randomized control study had 60 patients enrolled with non contact injury to knee who were equally divided into 2 groups i.e. ACL injury group and control group. ACL group had patients who had MRI proven ACL tear along with clinical findings suggestive of ACL tear whereas control contained patients with intact ACL. Demographic data was collected and NW, NWI and Notch shape were determined on coronal sections of MRI sequences.ResultsPositive correlation of ACL tear was seen with NW, BCW, NWI, NWP, and NWJ. Smaller Notch Width showed higher incidence of ACL tear (p = 0.019). The mean NWI in the injured and control knee is 0.31 ± 0.01 and 0.27 ± 0.01 respectively and was statistically significant(p < 0.001). A shaped Notch (60%) was commonly seen in ACL tear group and U shaped notch (73.3%) was commonly seen in control group.We found the cut off value for the prediction of ACL tear of NWI was 0.29 with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 86.7%.ConclusionACL injuries in the given population have shown higher incidence with narrow femoral intercondylar notch, smaller notch width index, ‘A’ shaped femoral notch. If any of the above findings are present in the MRI, its important to counsel the subjects about the increased risk of ACL injuries in them and take preventive measures.     

Value of intercondylar notch plasty: CT studies and peroperative measurements of 127 knees

The intercondylar notch diameter was measured in six knees on CT scans before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. During the operation, direct measurements of the anterior notch diameter was also performed before and after notch plasty. There was good agreement between CT and peroperative measurements, showing that the enlargement of the intercondylar notch can be measured on the CT scan. Twenty-one patients previously reconstructed because of old anterior cruciate ligament injuries were reexamined after a median of 4 years, and their notch diameters were measured by CT or at reoperation. The notch remained open in stable knees, but was narrowed in unstable knees. The notch diameter before notch plasty was assessed with a calliper at operation on 45 patients with acute and 60 patients with old injuries. Both groups had a mean intercondylar diameter of 16 mm.

The conclusion that the notch plasty stays open in stable knees emphasizes the importance of this step in the reconstruction procedure.     

Value of intercondylar notch plasty. CT studies and peroperative measurements of 127 knees

The intercondylar notch diameter was measured in six knees on CT scans before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. During the operation, direct measurements of the anterior notch diameter was also performed before and after notch plasty. There was good agreement between CT and peroperative measurements, showing that the enlargement of the intercondylar notch can be measured on the CT scan. Twenty-one patients previously reconstructed because of old anterior cruciate ligament injuries were reexamined after a median of 4 years, and their notch diameters were measured by CT or at reoperation. The notch remained open in stable knees, but was narrowed in unstable knees. The notch diameter before notch plasty was assessed with a calliper at operation on 45 patients with acute and 60 patients with old injuries. Both groups had a mean intercondylar diameter of 16 mm. The conclusion that the notch plasty stays open in stable knees emphasizes the importance of this step in the reconstruction procedure.