KUMJ | VOL. 21 | NO. 4 | ISSUE 84 | OCTOBER - DECEMBER, 2023
Correlation between Femoral Intercondylar Notch Width and Anterior Cruciate and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Widths on MRI of Knee Joint
Ghimire P, Kayastha P, Suwal S, Katwal S, Dhakal P, Lamichhane S, Lohani B
Abstract: Background
Anatomic variations have been implicated as one of the intrinsic causes of injuries to
the cruciate ligaments which can induce a functional deficiency to the knee. Narrow
cruciate ligament widths as well as narrow femoral intercondylar notch widths can
increase the risk of these ligaments rupturing.
Objective
To correlate the width of the femoral intercondylar notch (ICN) with anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) widths on MRI of the knee joint.
Method
A total of 46 patients who met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Intercondylar
notch was identified on coronal T1W images while anterior cruciate ligament and
posterior cruciate ligament were identified on proton density coronal images. All
the widths were measured in the same plane at a mid-coronal level where anterior
cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament cross each other.
Result
Our result showed a significant correlation between the widths of intercondylar
notch and anterior cruciate ligament (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and between intercondylar
notch width (INW) and posterior cruciate ligament width (r = 0.65, p < 0.001).
Overall, the mean intercondylar notch width measured was 17.5 ±2.5 mm (range
11.8 to 21.8 mm), the mean anterior cruciate ligament width was 5.9 ±1.3 mm (range
3.3 to 8.6 mm), and the mean posterior cruciate ligament width was 8.9 ±1.5 mm
(range 5.9 to 11.8 mm). A statistically significant difference was observed between
males and females for mean widths of intercondylar notch (p < 0.001) and posterior
cruciate ligament (p=0.01). However, no statistically significant difference was seen
for anterior cruciate ligament width (p=0.07) between the two genders.
Conclusion
Measurement of the femoral intercondylar notch width can be used as an indicator of
anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament widths which can further
assist to identify the individuals who are more susceptible to cruciate ligament
injuries.
Keyword : Anterior cruciate ligament, Cruciate ligament injury, Intercondylar notch width, MRI, posterior cruciate ligament
