Measurement repeatability of tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove offset distance in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cadavers

TY - JOUR

T1 - Measurement repeatability of tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove offset distance in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cadavers

AU - Miles, James Edward

AU - Jensen, Bente Rona

AU - Kirpensteijn, Jolle

AU - Svalastoga, Eiliv Lars

AU - Eriksen, Thomas

N1 - CURIS 2013 NEXS 129

PY - 2013/6

Y1 - 2013/6

N2 - Objective-To describe CT image reconstruction criteria for measurement of the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) offset distance, evaluate intra- and inter-reconstruction repeatability, and identify key sources of error in the measurement technique, as determined in vulpine hind limbs. Animals-12 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cadavers. Procedures-CT images of each hind limb in intact cadavers were obtained; at 1-week intervals, 3 reconstructions were performed that were based on 1 plane passing through the centers of the femoral head and medial condyle and parallel to the caudal femoral condyles, 1 plane aligned with the femoral trochlea, and a third orthogonal plane. Randomized and anonymized reconstructions were assessed for TT-TG offset distance with a singleimage technique by 1 observer, and inter-reconstruction repeatability and intra- and interreconstruction measurement repeatability were assessed via the repeatability coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results-Multiplanar reconstructions of hind limb images were repeatedly made to within a few degrees of each other. Intra- and inter-reconstruction repeatability for TT-TG offset distance measurement was good. Repeatability was most affected by accurate identification of the tibial tuberosity and femoral trochlea landmarks. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results obtained from vulpine hind limb CT images indicated that reconstructions can be made with a high degree of repeatability when based on strictly defined and applied criteria. The TT-TG offset distance has potential as an objective assessment of alignment of the distal portion of the quadriceps mechanism; its use as an aid in case selection for corrective femoral osteotomy among dogs with medial patellar luxation warrants investigation. (Am J Vet Res 2013;74:888-894).

AB - Objective-To describe CT image reconstruction criteria for measurement of the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) offset distance, evaluate intra- and inter-reconstruction repeatability, and identify key sources of error in the measurement technique, as determined in vulpine hind limbs. Animals-12 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) cadavers. Procedures-CT images of each hind limb in intact cadavers were obtained; at 1-week intervals, 3 reconstructions were performed that were based on 1 plane passing through the centers of the femoral head and medial condyle and parallel to the caudal femoral condyles, 1 plane aligned with the femoral trochlea, and a third orthogonal plane. Randomized and anonymized reconstructions were assessed for TT-TG offset distance with a singleimage technique by 1 observer, and inter-reconstruction repeatability and intra- and interreconstruction measurement repeatability were assessed via the repeatability coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results-Multiplanar reconstructions of hind limb images were repeatedly made to within a few degrees of each other. Intra- and inter-reconstruction repeatability for TT-TG offset distance measurement was good. Repeatability was most affected by accurate identification of the tibial tuberosity and femoral trochlea landmarks. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results obtained from vulpine hind limb CT images indicated that reconstructions can be made with a high degree of repeatability when based on strictly defined and applied criteria. The TT-TG offset distance has potential as an objective assessment of alignment of the distal portion of the quadriceps mechanism; its use as an aid in case selection for corrective femoral osteotomy among dogs with medial patellar luxation warrants investigation. (Am J Vet Res 2013;74:888-894).

U2 - 10.2460/ajvr.74.6.888

DO - 10.2460/ajvr.74.6.888

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23718657

SN - 0002-9645

VL - 74

SP - 888

EP - 894

JO - American Journal of Veterinary Research

JF - American Journal of Veterinary Research

IS - 6

ER -