Vojnosanitetski pregled 2012 Volume 69, Issue 7, Pages: 576-580
https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP101224012S
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The influence of the morphometric parameters of the intercondylar notch on rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament
Stijak Lazar (Institut za anatomiju, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Mališ Miloš (Institut za anatomiju, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Maksimović Ružica (Centar za Magnetnu rezonancu, Klinički centar Srbije, Beograd)
Aksić Milan (Institut za anatomiju, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Filipović Branislav 
(Institut za anatomiju, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Background/Aim. Morpohometric parameters of the intercondylar notch of femur
present one of the substantial risk factors for rupture of the anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL). In morphometric studies of the knee the most often
referred indexes are notch width index and notch shape index. The aim of this
study was to identificate the morphometric parameters of the intercondylar
notch as risk factors for ACL rupture. Methods. This study included 99
patients divided into two groups: the study group (n = 57) composed of
patients with chronic instability of the knee because of previos rupture of
the ACL, and the control group (n = 42) composed of patients with lesion of
the knee, but without rupture of the ACL. Measuring the width and height of
intercondylar notch and epicondylar width was observed on a horizontal MR
section. According to these values notch width and notch shape indexes were
calculated. Results. The study group had statistically significantly higher
(p < 0.05) intercondylar notch and lesser notch shape index than the control
group (p < 0.05). The difference was highly statistically significant (p <
0.01) only in males, but not in females (p > 0.05). Absolute dimensions of
the morphometric parameters of the distal part of the femur had highly
statatistically significant larger values (p < 0.01) in males than females,
exept in case of the intercondilar height in the control group (p > 0.05).
Conclusion. Enhanced height of the intercondylar notch as well as lesser
value of the notch shape index are associated with rupture of the ACL in
males but not in females.
Keywords: anterior cruciate ligament, knee injuries, femur, risk factors, magnetic resonance imaging