Anatomical Variability of Intercondylar Fossa Geometry in Patients Diagnosed with Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Abstract

The aims of this study were to (1) describe the three-dimensional characteristics and sources of anatomical variability in the geometry of the intercondylar fossa ("notch") in an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured sample and (2) assess the relationship between patient factors and anatomical variability of the fossa in the context of impingement risk. A retrospective analysis of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for 49 patients with ACL rupture was performed. Scans were examined in the axial plane using an online picture archiving and communication system (PACS) viewer and fossa width and angle assessed at multiple slices, as well as anteroposterior depth, fossa height, and calculated total volume. Principal component analysis was performed to prioritize the sources of variability. A multivariate linear regression was performed to assess relationships between different patient factors, controlling for imaging parameters and principal component loadings. Geometric properties were normally distributed for all but fossa volume, height, and distal angle. Three principal components (PCs) were identified explaining 80% of total variance, shape (PC1), size in the coronal plane (PC2), and size in the sagittal plane (PC3). Patient factors were significantly (P < 0.05) related to PC loadings; however, a substantial amount of variance in each model remained unexplained. Intercondylar fossa characteristics vary considerably within ACL-injury patients with shape and size in coronal and axial planes, explaining most of the variance. Although patient factors are associated with anatomical characteristics, further work is required to identify the correct combination of factors accurately predicting geometry of the fossa for planning ACL reconstruction. Clin. Anat. 33:610-618, 2020.

Does Femoral Intercondylar Notch Volume Differ in Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Injured Adult Patients Compared to the Uninjured?: A Meta-Analysis

“…Pooled analysis of reliability of this method is hampered by a paucity of extractable data in the articles; however, interobserver reliability is considered high with coefficients ranging from 0.88 to 0.99. 23 25 44) Some studies have used different methods of measurement including modification of the abovementioned method by including slice interval in the formulas, special reformatted volumetric sequences, and CT scans, whereas some did not specify the method of measurement. 14 32 33 34) There is no data regarding superiority or accuracy of any particular method.…”

K‐Space Data Reconstruction Algorithm‐Based MRI Diagnosis and Influencing Factors of Knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

“…e intercondylar fossa width, intercondylar fossa width index, ratio of tibial intercondylar eminence width to intercondylar notch width in group B were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Some studies have suggested that the intercondylar fossa can be used as a valuable predictor to predict ACL injury, and the intercondylar fossa width index is weakly correlated with ACL injury [20]. is reveals that the poorer the fit between the tibial intercondylar eminence and the femoral intercondylar fossa is, the more likely it is to lead to ACL rupture, but the specific mechanism of effect needs to be clarified by the sample size and biomechanical studies on this aspect.…”

Automatic segmentation model of intercondylar fossa based on deep learning: a novel and effective assessment method for the notch volume

“…Many measurement indices can be used to evaluate the morphology of femoral intercondylar notch, among which, the volume of the intercondylar fossa can well describe its complex 3D spatial configuration and has accurate results [16][17][18]. MRI is an important non-radiation method used to accurately measure the soft tissue and bone structure of the knee joint.…”