Correlation of Notch Configuration between Subjects with and Subjects without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the 3-dimensional (D) notch volume and the 2D notch width and notch shape as measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), between subjects with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and those without ACL injury. Materials and Methods: Knee MRI images were taken from 72 subjects with ACL injury and 80 subjects without ACL injury (January 2007 to January 2012; Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea). We measured 3D notch volume and 2D notch width and notch shape. The measured values from MRI figures between ACL-injured subjects and non-ACL-injured subjects were compared and analyzed. These measurements (notch width, notch ratio) were correlated to notch volume. Both intra-observer reliability and inter-observer reliability were calculated. Results: Notch width differed significantly between ACL injured subjects and non-injured subjects (p<0.001), while no significant differences in notch volume and notch shape were observed between the groups (male: p=0.43, female: p=0.22). Conclusion: The results of this study might suggest that certain 2D measurements (notch width) of the notch could be better than notch volume for prediction of ACL rupture risk.