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Three-dimensional measurements of the lower extremity in children and adolescents using a low-dose biplanar X-ray device

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate three-dimensional (3D) measurements of the lower extremity using a biplanar low-dose X-ray device in children and adolescents.

Methods

Firstly, 3D measurements of eight dried bones were analysed by a biplanar low-dose X-ray device (LDX) using stereoscopic software and compared with 3D computed tomography (CT). Secondly, 47 lower limbs of children and adolescents were studied using LDX two-dimensional (2D) and 3D measurements. Both parts were evaluated for femoral and tibial lengths and mechanical angles, frontal and lateral knee angulations, and the femoral neck-shaft angle.

Results

The 3D specimen comparison between LDX and CT measurements showed no significant differences: femoral length (P = 0.069), tibial length (P = 0.059), femoral mechanical angle (P = 0.475), tibial mechanical angle (P = 0.067), frontal knee angulation (P = 0.198), lateral knee angulation (P = 0.646) and femoral neck-shaft angle (P = 0.068). The comparison between LDX 2D and 3D measurements showed significant differences in tibial length (P = 0.003), femoral mechanical angle (P < 0.001) and femoral neck-shaft angle (P = 0.001); other parameters were unremarkable.

Conclusions

The 3D LDX system presented reliable measurements compared with 3D CT. Differences between LDX 2D and 3D measurements were noted in the femoral mechanical angle, femoral neck-shaft angle and tibial length. Moderate to good interobserver agreement for the 3D LDX measurements were found.

Key Points

• Low radiation dose is essential when assessing potential lower extremity discrepancies

• A new biplanar low-dose X-ray device can assess such discrepancies in children/adolescents

• This LDX device provides equally reliable 3D measurements as prevalent practice LDX measurements carry good overall interobserver agreement.

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Acknowledgements

This investigation was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) of Brazil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Lille, France

    Ramon Gheno & Anne Cotten

  2. Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Ramon Gheno

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery and Orthopaedics, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Lille, France

    Eric Nectoux & Bernard Herbaux

  4. Department of Radiology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Matteo Baldisserotto

  5. Department of Statistics, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Luiz Glock

  6. Department of Musculoskeletal and Pediatric Radiology, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Lille, Hôpital Roger Salengro and Jeanne de Flandre, Lille, France

    Nathalie Boutry

  7. Service de Radiologie Ostéo-articulaire, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Boulevard du Pr J Leclercq, 59037, Lille Cedex, France

    Ramon Gheno

Authors
  1. Ramon Gheno
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  2. Eric Nectoux
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  3. Bernard Herbaux
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  4. Matteo Baldisserotto
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  5. Luiz Glock
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  6. Anne Cotten
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  7. Nathalie Boutry
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Correspondence to Ramon Gheno.

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Gheno, R., Nectoux, E., Herbaux, B. et al. Three-dimensional measurements of the lower extremity in children and adolescents using a low-dose biplanar X-ray device. Eur Radiol 22, 765–771 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2308-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-011-2308-y

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