title: An MRI-based technique for assessment of lower extremity deformities-reproducibility, accuracy, and clinical application.
abstract: The hypothesis of this study was that length, torsion, and axis of a leg phantom can be measured accurately and reproducibly by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and that this can be applied to patients with leg deformities. Two phantoms and 30 patients (genu varum, n = 15; genu valgum, n = 15) were investigated using an optimized MRI technique. Reference measurements were performed with a micrometer screw and a goniometer. Patient leg length and axis were compared with long radiographs in bipedal stance. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility and accuracy were calculated using the mean absolute difference (MAD) and the 95% confidence interval. In patients, comparisons were done using a paired Student's t-test. MAD, intraobserver MAD, and interobserver MAD were 0.03, 0.03, 0.04 mm (length); 0.98, 1.2, 0.98 degrees (torsion); and 0.18, 0.23, 0.22 degrees (axis), respectively. In patients, leg length was underestimated by MRI (-2.4 +/- 0.7%; 1.9 +/- 0.7 cm; P < 0.001). The hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) did not show significant differences in varus knees (-0.5 +/- 1.0 degrees ; P > 0.05), while it was significantly underestimated in valgus knees (-3.6 +/- 2.8 degrees ; P < 0.05). The phantom study revealed that leg length, torsion, and axis can be measured accurately and reproducibly by MRI. Although underestimation of leg length and HKA in valgus knees occurred, this optimized MRI technique can be applied to patients with leg deformities.
authors: Research Group for Kinematics and Biomechanics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Frankfurt, Marienburgstr. 2, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Hinterwimmer
authors: Heiko
authors: H
authors: Graichen
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: Vogl
authors: Nasreddin
authors: N
authors: Abolmaali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007867:Leg Bones / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA