Method and significance of measuring the slope of proximal tibiofibular joint with CT reconstruction / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Measuring the slope of proximal tibiofibular joint may elucidate the anatomical structure and type of proximal tibiofibular joint, and evaluate the stability of proximal tibiofibular joint. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the measurement methods and clinical significance of the joint slope by comparing the slope measurement of bilateral proximal tibiofibular joint surface on X-ray and 64-row spiral CT reconstruction.METHODS: One hundred normal adult volunteers, including 50 males and 50 females, aged 18-90 years, were photographed in double knees via internal rotation to 30°, 45° and 60°, respectively and scanned with 64-row spiral CT, tibiofibular bone (including knee joints) was reconstructed. The included angle between proximal tibiofibular articular surface and the longitudinal axis of the fibula shaft, between the proximal tibiofibular articular surface and the horizontal line, were measured using an angle square.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were great variations of the data in the same proximal tibiofibular joint measured by X-ray and spiral CT. X-ray results are affected by the site of photograph position, and the slope of articular surface is estimated, so the 64-row spiral CT is an accurate and convenient method to reconstitute the slope of proximal tibiofibular joints. Spiral CT could be used to distinguish the dislocation and instability of the proximal tibiofibular joint, accordingly reduce the clinical misdiagnosis.