title: MRI evaluation of the development of intercondylar notch width in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the development of intercondylar notch width in children using MRI and assesse the relationship between the cruciate ligaments and the width of the intercondylar notch during growth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed MRIs and medical records of 76 children (age range 3.8-16.9) without derangements of the knee. Cases with knee joint instability and/or major trauma were excluded. On a standardized coronal image, measurements of the width of the intercondylar notch, knee, ACL and PCL were performed using image analysis software. The notch width index (NWI), ACL/notch, ACL/knee width, PCL/notch, and PCL/knee width were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NWI showed statistical correlation with age. The highest values were found in the youngest children, and the lowest in the oldest group. While ACL/knee width, and PCL/knee width ratios remained proportional over time, the ACL/notch, and PCL/notch ratios increased with the age of the patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NWI changes with age and decreases from childhood to adolescence. A relative decrease in NWI accounts for an increase in the ACL/notch and PCL/notch ratios with age. Studies about NWI in children should consider age as a cofactor for analysis.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Orthopedics and Pediatric Orthopedics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland, marcin.domzalski@umed.lodz.pl.
authors.forename: Marcin E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Domzalski
authors.forename: Marc S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grzelak
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gabos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000254:growth & development; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000254:growth & development*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000254:growth & development; D012189:Retrospective Studies