3D computer tomography for measurement of femoral position in acl reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To validate intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients of a transparent 3D-TC protocol and investigate relationships between different axial rotations.


METHODS
Twenty unilateral knee TCs (iSite - Philips) were evaluated by means of a transparent 3D-TC OsiriX Imaging Software (v.3.9.4), 3D MPR protocol. Mathematical model of femoral tunnel projections acquired on vertical and horizontal rotations from -20 to +20 degrees. Height (h'/H) and length (t'/T) of tunnel projections have been analyzed by the Bernard and Hertel's method.


METHODS
power of study=80%, ICC, ANOVA, p<0.05 (SPSS-19).


RESULTS
Transparent 3D-TC showed high reliability of both intra-observer (h'/H=0.941; t'/T=0.928, p<0.001) and inter-observer (h'/H=0.921; t'/T=0.890, p<0.001) ICC. ACL Length (t'/T) and Height (h'/H) projections were statistically different on vertical and horizontal rotations: p=0.01 and p<0.001, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This new transparent 3D-TC protocol is an accurate and reproducible method that can be applied for ACL femoral tunnel or footprint measurement with high ICC reliability. Level of Evidence II, Descriptive Laboratory Study.
University of São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Brazil, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Medical School. Brazil.
Tiago Lazzaretti
TL
Fernandes
University of São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Brazil, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Medical School. Brazil.
Nuno Miguel Morais Fonseca
NM
Martins
University of São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Brazil, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Medical School. Brazil.
Felipe de Andrade
Fde A
Watai
IFEI University Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, FEI University Center, Department of Mechanical Engineering, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cyro
C
Albuquerque
University of São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Brazil, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Medical School. Brazil.
André
A
Pedrinelli
University of São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Brazil, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital das Clínicas, University of São Paulo, Medical School. Brazil.
Arnaldo José
AJ
Hernandez
Anatomy; Anterior cruciate ligament; Image processing computer-assisted; Imaging, three-dimensional