The role of the iliotibial band cross-sectional area as a morphological parameter of the iliotibial band friction syndrome: a retrospective pilot study

Abstract

Background: Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is a common disorder of the lateral knee. Previous research has reported that the iliotibial band (ITB) thickness (ITBT) is correlated with ITBFS, and ITBT has been considered to be a key morphologic parameter of ITBFS. However, the thickness is different from inflammatory hypertrophy. Thus, we made the ITB cross-sectional area (ITBCSA) a new morphological parameter to assess ITBFS. Methods: Forty-three patients with ITBFS group and from 43 normal group who underwent T1W magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled. The ITBCSA was measured as the cross-sectional area of the ITB that was most hypertrophied in the magnetic resonance axial images. The ITBT was measured as the thickest site of ITB. Results: The mean ITBCSA was 25.24 ± 6.59 mm 2 in the normal group and 38.75 ± 9.11 mm 2 in the ITBFS group. The mean ITBT was 1.94 ± 0.41 mm in the normal group and 2.62 ± 0.46 mm in the ITBFS group. Patients in ITBFS group had significantly higher ITBCSA (P < 0.001) and ITBT (P < 0.001) than the normal group. A receiver operator characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the best cut-off value of the ITBT was 2.29 mm, with 76.7% sensitivity, 79.1% specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) 0.88. The optimal cut-off score of the ITBCSA was 30.66 mm 2 , with 79.1% sensitivity, 79.1% specificity, and AUC 0.87. Conclusions: ITBCSA is a new and sensitive morphological parameter for diagnosing ITBFS, and may even be more accurate than ITBT.

Evaluation of iliotibial band volume with 3T MRI

“…Park et al (11) average ITBT they measured 1.9±0.4 mm in the normal group and 2.6±0.5 mm in the ITBFS group. They also measured the ITB area in their study and found the mean ITB area was 25.2±6.6 mm2 in the normal group and 38.8±9.1 mm2 in the group with ITBFS.…”

Feasibility and reliability of various morphologic features on magnetic resonance imaging for iliotibial band friction syndrome

“…Therefore, accurate diagnosis of ITBFS is important. Previous studies reported that a higher position of patella (patella alta), lateral epicondyle prominence (increment in lateral epicondyle height), thick ITB, and larger ITB-a were the morphological features associated with ITBFS [ 6 – 9 ]. However, these are subjectively measured values and there are not many studies on their reliability.…”

“…3 ), 4) ITB diameter (ITB-d) was measured in the thickest region at the level of lateral femoral epicondyle on an axial T2-weighted FS image. On the same axial image plane, the ITB area (ITB-a) was also measured by drawing free-hand region of interests (ROIs) at the thickest ITB [ 8 , 9 ] ( Fig. 4 ).…”

“…There were many previous studies to evaluate the morphological imaging features on MRI which may be helpful for diagnosis of ITBFS. Previous studies reported that patella alta, type I and III patella according to Wiberg classification, greater lateral epicondyle prominence, increment in the diameter of ITB, and larger cross-sectional area of the ITB were associated with ITBFS and could be imaging features for diagnosing ITBFS [ 5 – 9 ]. However, there was not much published information demonstrating the feasibility, inter-reader reliability, and intra-reader reliability on these various MR imaging features for diagnosis of ITBFS.…”

The role of the iliotibial band cross-sectional area as a morphological parameter of the iliotibial band friction syndrome: a retrospective pilot study

“…We would like to congratulate Dr. Park and the team for their recently published article titled “The role of the iliotibial band cross-sectional area as a morphological parameter of the iliotibial band friction syndrome: a retrospective pilot study” [ 1 ]. In the aforementioned study, they examined whether the cross-sectional area of the iliotibial band (ITB) was superior to its thickness for diagnosis of ITB friction syndrome.…”