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Morphologic evaluation of remnant anterior cruciate ligament bundles after injury with three-dimensional computed tomography

  • knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the morphological patterns of remnant anterior cruciate ligament bundles after injury (ACL remnant) on three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) and compare them with those on arthroscopy.

Methods

Sixty-three patients (33 males and 30 females; mean age 25.2 ± 10.1 years) who had undergone primary ACL reconstruction between March 2011 and December 2012 were included in this study. The average durations between traumas and 3DCT and between 3DCT and surgery were 101.7 ± 87.2 and 38.2 ± 38.7 days, respectively. ACL remnants were classified into four morphological patterns on 3DCT. 3DCT findings were compared with arthroscopic findings with and without probing.

Results

The morphological patterns of the ACL remnants on 3DCT were well matched with those on arthroscopy without probing (the concordance rate was 77.8 %). However, the concordance rate was reduced to 49.2 % when arthroscopic probing was used to confirm the femoral attachment of ACL remnants (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the morphological patterns of ACL remnants on 3DCT were well matched with those on arthroscopy without probing. Therefore, the technique can be useful for preoperative planning of the ACL reconstruction or informed consent to the patients. However, for definitive diagnosis, arthroscopic probing is required.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report that they have no conflict of interest in the authorship and publication of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Integrated Health Sciences, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan

    Nobuo Adachi, Mitsuo Ochi, Kobun Takazawa, Masataka Deie, Atsuo Nakamae & Goki Kamei

  2. Department of Clinical Radiology, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan

    Minoru Ishifuro

Authors
  1. Nobuo Adachi
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  2. Mitsuo Ochi
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  3. Kobun Takazawa
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  4. Minoru Ishifuro
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  5. Masataka Deie
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  6. Atsuo Nakamae
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  7. Goki Kamei
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Correspondence to Nobuo Adachi.

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Adachi, N., Ochi, M., Takazawa, K. et al. Morphologic evaluation of remnant anterior cruciate ligament bundles after injury with three-dimensional computed tomography. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 148–153 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3354-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3354-1

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