scholarly journals Comparing the Tibial Tuberosity–Trochlear Groove Distance Between CT and MRI in Skeletally Immature Patients With and Without Patellar Instability

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 232596712097366
Author(s):  
Zhen-Zhen Dai ◽  
Lin Sha ◽  
Zi-Ming Zhang ◽  
Zhen-Peng Liang ◽  
Hao Li ◽  
...  

Background: The tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance was originally described for computed tomography (CT), but it has been measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with patellar instability (PI). Whether the TT-TG measured on CT versus MRI can be considered equivalent in skeletally immature children remains unclear. Purpose: To investigate in skeletally immature patients (1) the effects of CT versus MRI imaging modality and cartilage versus bony landmarks on consistency of TT-TG measurement, (2) the difference between CT and MRI measurements of the TT-TG, and (3) the difference in TT-TG between patients with and without PI. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We retrospectively identified 24 skeletally immature patients with PI and 24 patients with other knee disorders or injury but without PI. The bony and cartilaginous TT-TG distances on CT and MRI were measured by 2 researchers, and related clinical data were collected. The interrater, interperiod (bony vs cartilaginous), and intermethod (CT vs MRI) reliabilities of TT-TG measurement were assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: The 48 study patients (19 boys, 29 girls) had a mean age of 11.3 years (range, 7-14 years). TT-TG measurements had excellent interrater reliability and good or excellent interperiod reliability but fair or poor intermethod reliability. TT-TG distance was greater on CT versus MRI (mean difference, 4.07 mm; 95% CI, 2.6-5.5 mm), and cartilaginous distance was greater than bony distance (mean difference, 2.3 mm; 95% CI, 0.79-3.8 mm). The TT-TG measured on CT was found to increase with the femoral width. Patients in the PI group had increased TT-TG distance compared with those in the control group, regardless of landmarks or modality used ( P > .05 for all). Conclusion: For skeletally immature patients, the TT-TG distance could be evaluated on MRI, regardless of whether cartilage or bony landmarks were used. Its value could not be interchanged with CT according to our results; however, further research on this topic is needed.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
peng su ◽  
nengri jian ◽  
Beini Mao ◽  
zhong zhang ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe radiological indicators can help doctors determine whether to make the tibial tubercle transfer. But that which indicator is better is still in question.Methods117 knees in 103 patients who had gone through patellar surgery and 60 knees in 58 patients who had no history of patellar dislocation from 2014 to 2019 were analyzed. Significant differences of tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) on CT and tibial tubercle–posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL) on MRI between the case group and the control group were estimated by an unpaired t test. Significant differences between TT-TG on CT and TT-TG on MRI were estimated by a paired t test. The correlation between TT-PCL on MRI and tibial width was estimated by Pearson test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were measured to assess the diagnostic accuracy of TT-TG and TT-PCL on MRI. ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for inter-method of TT-TG evaluated by two raters was were 0.566. When comparing TT-TG on CT with that on MRI, the mean difference was 2.5mm (p<0.001). The mean TT-TG difference on CT between the case group and the control group was 5.3 mm, which was significantly bigger than the mean TT-PCL difference on MRI of 1.2mm(p<0.001). AUC of TT-TG on CT and TT-PCL were 0.838 and 0.580 (P<0.001). TT-PCL correlated with tibial width (r=0.450, P<0.001). ConclusionA statistically significance and a fair ICC proved that TT-TG could not be used interchangeably. The bigger mean difference between the case group and the control group and better AUC proved that TT-TG on CT might be an indicator more suitable for measuring the lateralization of the tibial tubercle. And TT-TG should be considered as an individual parameter because of the significant correlation with tibial width.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Su ◽  
Nengri Jian ◽  
Beini Mao ◽  
Zhong Zhang ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The radiological indicators can help doctors determine whether to make tibial tubercle transfer. But which indicator is better is still in question. Methods 117 knees in 103 patients who had undergone patellar surgery and 60 knees in 58 patients who had no history of patellar dislocation from 2014 to 2019 were analyzed. Significant differences of tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) on CT and tibial tubercle–posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL) on MRI between the case group and the control group were estimated by an unpaired t test. Significant differences between TT-TG on CT and TT-TG on MRI were estimated by a paired t test. The correlation between TT-PCL on MRI and tibial width was estimated by Pearson test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were measured to assess the diagnostic accuracy of TT-TG and TT-PCL on MRI. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for TT-TG between CT and MRI evaluated by two raters was were 0.566. When comparing TT-TG on CT with that on MRI, the mean difference was 2.5 mm (p< 0.001). The mean TT-TG difference on CT between the case group and the control group was 5.3 mm, which was significantly bigger than the mean TT-PCL difference on MRI of 1.2 mm(p< 0.001). AUC of TT-TG on CT and TT-PCL were 0.838 and 0.580 (P< 0.001). TT-PCL correlated with tibial width (r=0.450, P< 0.001). Conclusion A statistically significance and a fair ICC proved that TT-TG could not be used interchangeably. The bigger mean difference between the case group and the control group and better AUC proved that TT-TG on CT might be an indicator more suitable for measuring the lateralization of the tibial tubercle. And TT-PCL should be considered as an individual parameter because of the significant correlation between TT-PCL and tibial width.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (08) ◽  
pp. 768-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si Heng Sharon Tan ◽  
Beatrice Ying Lim ◽  
Kiat Soon Jason Chng ◽  
Chintan Doshi ◽  
Francis K.L. Wong ◽  
...  

AbstractThe tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance was originally described for computed tomography (CT) but has recently been used on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without sufficient evidence demonstrating its validity on MRI. The current review aims to evaluate (1) whether there is a difference in the TT–TG distances measured using CT and MRI, (2) whether both the TT–TG distances measured using CT and MRI could be used to differentiate between patients with or without patellofemoral instability, and (3) whether the same threshold of 15 to 20 mm can be applied for both TT–TG distances measured using CT and MRI. The review was conducted using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRSIMA) guidelines. All studies that compared TT–TG distances either (1) between CT and MRI or (2) between patients with and without patellofemoral instability were included. A total of 23 publications were included in the review. These included a total of 3,040 patients. All publications reported the TT–TG distance to be greater in patients with patellofemoral instability as compared to those without patellofemoral instability. This difference was noted for both TT–TG distances measured on CT and on MRI. All publications also reported the TT–TG distance measured on CT to be greater than that measured on MRI (mean difference [MD] = 1.79 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–2.68). Pooling of the studies revealed that the mean TT–TG distance for the control group was 12.85 mm (95% CI: 11.71–14.01) while the mean TT–TG distance for patients with patellofemoral instability was 18.33 mm (95% CI: 17.04–19.62) when measured on CT. When measured on MRI, the mean TT–TG distance for the control group was 9.83 mm (95% CI: 9.11–10.54), while the mean TT–TG distance for patients with patellofemoral instability was 15.33 mm (95% CI: 14.24–16.42). Both the TTTG distances measured on CT and MRI could be used to differentiate between patients with and without patellofemoral instability. Patients with patellofemoral instability had significantly greater TT–TG distances than those without. However, the TT–TG distances measured on CT were significantly greater than that measured on MRI. Different cut-off values should, therefore, be used for TT–TG distances measured on CT and on MRI in the determination of normal versus abnormal values. Pooling of all the patients included in the review then suggest for 15.5 ± 1.5 mm to be used as the cut off for TT–TG distance measured on CT, and for 12.5 ± 2 mm to be used as the cut-off for TT–TG distance measured on MRI. The Level of evidence for this study is IV.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0023
Author(s):  
Kenneth M. Lin ◽  
Evan W. James ◽  
Lindsay Schlichte ◽  
Grace Wang ◽  
Daniel Green

Background: Tibiofemoral rotation (TFR), specifically external tibial rotation, has been recently identified as a potential contributing factor to patellar instability. However, no previous studies have explored the clinical effects of differing degrees of TFR in relation to patellar instability. Purpose and Hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between severity of instability with degree of TFR. Our hypothesis is that fixed or obligatory dislocators (FOD) are more likely to have increased external TFR (tibial external rotation compared to femur) than standard patellar instability (SPI) patients requiring medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, who will have similar or slightly increased external TFR compared to normal controls. Methods: A retrospective study was performed with patients from 3 cohorts from April 2009 to February 2019: FOD, SPI, and controls with normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. All FOD patients from the study time frame were analyzed, while controls and SPI patients were randomly selected. Patients were included for age under 18 years and diagnosis corresponding to one of the three cohorts, and excluded for outside institution MRI, and previous MPFL reconstruction or tibial tubercle osteotomy. TFR was measured on preoperative axial MRI using the posterior femoral and tibial condylar lines (Figure 1). Tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) was measured. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated among 3 measurers. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and t-test was performed with significance set at α=0.05. Results: A total of 57 patients were included, 19 in each cohort. Average age was 13.2 years (range 10-17 years), with 31 females (54%). ICC for TT-TG and TFR were 0.90 and 0.72, respectively. TT-TG differed between the controls and SPI patients (both P<0.001), and controls and FOD patients (P<0.001), but not between SPI and FOD patients (P=0.12). TFR differed among the three groups: 8.4° (SD 16.7°) external TFR in FOD, 1.6° (SD 5.4°) external TFR in SPI, and 2.5° (SD 5.8°) internal TFR in controls (P=0.0089). FOD patients had significantly greater external tibial rotation than the SPI group (P=0.047). Conclusions: The degree of TFR is correlated with severity of patellar instability, with greater external tibial rotation seen in FOD than SPI patients, while TT-TG was not different. Further information on the relationship of TFR and patellar instability will not only improve understanding of pathogenesis and prognosis, but may also direct surgical treatment strategies in refractory or severe cases. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text]


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0007 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bernholt ◽  
Joseph D. Lamplot ◽  
Eric Eutsler ◽  
Jeffrey J. Nepple

Objectives: Lateralization of the tibial tubercle plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of patellar instability and is most often assessed by the tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) measured on CT or MRI with the knee in extension. However, tracking of the patella in 30 to 45 degrees of flexion has been suggested to be of greater clinical significance. Merchant radiographs can demonstrate the position of the tibial tubercle relative to the trochlear groove in this range of flexion and thus may serve as a valuable tool in the assessment of patellar tracking. The purpose of the current study was (1) to validate radiographic assessment of the merchant view TT-TG and (2) to determine the correlation with MRI-based measurements. Methods: To validate Merchant TT-TG as a marker of the position of the tibial tubercle, 41 patients between the ages of 10-18 had standardized Merchant radiographs in 45 degrees flexion yielding imaging of 82 knees. Lead markers were placed upon the skin centered over the tibial tubercle based on palpation. Radiographs were collected and analyzed. The TT-TG was measured as the distance between lines centered over the deepest point of the trochlear groove and the center of the tibial tubercle and perpendicular to the anterior condylar axis. In order to correlate Merchant TT-TG to MRI TT-TG, 16 additional patients were added to reach a total of 30 patients with a Merchant radiograph and MRI, as power calculation determined 29 knees needed to detect a Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) of .500. There was excellent interobserver reliability between two readers for Merchant TT-TG with and without use of a radiographic marker (ICC = .975 and .923 respectively). Results: The tibial tubercle could be identified on Merchant radiograph in 67 images (81.7%). Merchant TT-TG measured with use of a marker was very strongly correlated measurement based on bony landmarks alone (PCC = .848). The Merchant TT-TG measured with bony landmarks alone was strongly correlated to MRI TT-TG (PCC = .602). The strength of this correlation was increased by standardizing TT-TG by patellar width (PCC = .710). MRI TT-TG was increased in patients with patellar instability at 13.9 mm compared to 10.5 mm (p <.01); Merchant TT-TG was also increased in patients with patellar instability at 9.1 mm compared to 1.9 mm (p < .001). Conclusion: Standardized Merchant radiographs without radiographic markers allow for assessment of TT-TG in the majority of patients. Merchant TT-TG strongly correlates with MRI TT-TG but measured 5-8 mm smaller than MRI TT-TG.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7_suppl6) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0048
Author(s):  
Evan James ◽  
Alexandra Aitchison ◽  
Lindsay Schlichte ◽  
Grace Wang ◽  
Daniel Green ◽  
...  

Objectives: Tibiofemoral rotation (TFR), specifically external tibial rotation, has been recently identified as a potential contributing factor to patellar instability. However, no previous studies have explored the clinical effects of differing degrees of TFR in relation to patellar instability. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between severity of instability with degree of TFR. Our hypothesis is that fixed or obligatory dislocators (FOD) are more likely to have increased external TFR (tibial external rotation compared to femur) than standard patellar instability (SPI) patients requiring medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, who will have similar or slightly increased external TFR compared to normal controls. Methods: A retrospective study was performed with patients from 3 cohorts from April 2009 to February 2019: FOD, SPI, and controls with normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. All FOD patients from the study time frame were analyzed, while controls and SPI patients were randomly selected. Patients were included for age under 18 years and diagnosis corresponding to one of the three cohorts, and excluded for outside institution MRI, and previous MPFL reconstruction or tibial tubercle osteotomy. TFR was measured on preoperative axial MRI using the posterior femoral and tibial condylar lines (Figure 1). Tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) was measured. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated among 3 measurers. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and t-test was performed with significance set at α=0.05. Results: A total of 57 patients were included, 19 in each cohort. Average age was 13.2 years (range 10-17 years), with 31 females (54%). ICC for TT-TG and TFR were 0.90 and 0.72, respectively. TT-TG differed between the controls and SPI patients (both P<0.001), and controls and FOD patients (P<0.001), but not between SPI and FOD patients (P=0.12). TFR differed among the three groups: 8.4° (SD 16.7°) external TFR in FOD, 1.6° (SD 5.4°) external TFR in SPI, and 2.5° (SD 5.8°) internal TFR in controls (P=0.0089). FOD patients had significantly greater external tibial rotation than the SPI group (P=0.047). Conclusions: The degree of TFR is correlated with severity of patellar instability, with greater external tibial rotation seen in FOD than SPI patients, while TT-TG was not different. Further information on the relationship of TFR and patellar instability will not only improve understanding of pathogenesis and prognosis, but may also direct surgical treatment strategies in refractory or severe cases.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 1835-1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Camp ◽  
Michael J. Stuart ◽  
Aaron J. Krych ◽  
Bruce A. Levy ◽  
Jeffrey R. Bond ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652098781
Author(s):  
Mathias Paiva ◽  
Lars Blønd ◽  
Per Hölmich ◽  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0013
Author(s):  
Alexandra H. Aitchison ◽  
Kenneth M. Lin ◽  
Daniel W. Green

Background: Tibial tubercle to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) and external tibiofemoral rotation (TFR) through the knee joint have been identified potential contributing factors to patellar instability. In patients with a fixed or obligatory lateral patella dislocation (FOD), the normal force vector of the extensor mechanism is altered, so instead of a direct axial pull to cause extension, it exerts a lateralizing and external rotatory force on the tibia via the tibial tubercle. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate postoperative changes in TT-TG and TFR after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) in two clinical cohorts: standard traumatic patellar instability (SPI) patients and FOD patients. We hypothesized that by surgically relocating the patella in the trochlea, and re-establishing medial sided soft tissue tension, the increased medializing force vector on the patella may exert enough force to alter resting rotation of the tibia in relation to the femur in the FOD group. Methods: A retrospective study was performed from April 2009 to February 2019. FOD and SPI patients under 18 years with available magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee before and after MPFLR were eligible. All FOD patients in the time frame were analyzed and SPI patients were randomly selected. Exclusion criteria were outside institution MRI, concomitant alignment procedures done at the time of MPFLR, and prior MPFLR or tibial tubercle osteotomy. TT-TG and TFR (using the posterior femoral and tibial condylar lines) were measured blindly on initial axial MRI. Statistical analysis using a paired sample t-test was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 30 patients were included, 14 in the FOD group and 16 in the SPI group. The mean age at time of surgery was 13.9 years (range 10-17 years), 53% of the cohort was female, and the mean time from surgery to follow-up MRI was 2.0 years. Demographics by group are shown in Table 1. TT-TG and TFR were not significantly different preoperatively versus postoperatively in the SPI group (Table 2). In the FOD group, both TT-TG (17.7 vs 13.7, P=.019) and TFR (8.6 vs 3.1, P=.025) decreased significantly on postoperative MRI. Conclusion: The postoperative decrease in TT-TG and TFR in the FOD group suggests that MPFLR in fixed or obligatory dislocators can improve the external rotation deformity through the level of the joint, and thus may help normalize the forces acting through the extensor mechanism. Tables/ Figures [Table: see text][Table: see text]


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