Influence of medial and lateral imaging plane inclination on assessment of trochlear depth, sulcus angle, and facet asymmetry in the setting of trochlear anatomy: a cadaveric study

Kristel Vranken, Seema Doring, Nico Buls, Johan Vanlauwe, Sofie Germonpré, Steven Provyn, Aron De Smet, Michel De Maeseneer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

PURPOSE: (1) to assess the influence of medial or lateral imaging plane inclination on the measurement of sulcus angle, trochlear depth, and facet asymmetry on transverse cross-sectional images. (2) to assess the effect of measurement level (height) on these respective parameters.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty dry femurs (9 left, 11 right) were imaged with CT. A 3D dataset was obtained from which axial images were reconstructed in the ideal plane without inclination as well as with 8° of medial and lateral inclination. Sulcus angle, trochlear depth, and facet asymmetry were measured on the 3 image sets. In addition, the measurements were performed at 5 mm and 10 mm from the superior margin of the medial trochlear facet. Statistical analysis consisted of the Wilcoxon test and calculation of measurement variation.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the indicated measurements on the reference set compared to medial or lateral inclination. All measurements were significantly different depending on measurement height.

CONCLUSION: Medial or lateral inclination in the transverse imaging plane of 8° does not influence the values of typical parameters used for the assessment of trochlear dysplasia. The measurement height has a significant influence, and a consensus should be found as to which is the optimal measurement height.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-213
Number of pages7
JournalSurgical and Radiologic Anatomy
Volume45
Issue number2
Early online date18 Jan 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature.

Copyright:
Copyright 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Cadaver studies
  • Facet asymmetry
  • Patellar anatomy
  • Patellar dysplasia
  • Patellar instability
  • Sulcus angle
  • Trochlear anatomy
  • Trochlear depth

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