Comparison of CT alpha angle Measurement Planes in a Young Population without Symptoms

FANG Ting-Song, KE Qi, YUAN Jian-Xiang, BANG Chao, LIANG Zhen-Hua

Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4) : 416-419.

Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4) : 416-419. DOI: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2014.04.011

Comparison of CT alpha angle Measurement Planes in a Young Population without Symptoms

  • FANG Ting-song,KE-Qi,YUAN Jian-xiang,PENG Tao,LIANG Zhen-hua
Author information +
History +

Abstract

Objective  To compare the alpha angle value measured on different planes and to determine the prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement(FAI) morphology in a young population without symptoms using computed tomography. Methods A retrospective review was performed on the data of 120 patients (age range, 20–40 years) with no current or previous hip disorder who underwent CT of the abdomen and pelvis from May 2009 to November 2013. Alpha angle were measured on both oblique axial plane images parallel to the long axis of the femoral neck and radial images in four planes obtained using the center of the femoral neck as the axis of rotation.Analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences between alpha angle values on the oblique axial plane and radial plane.Alpha angle greater than 55° was considered positive for cam-type FAI morphology. Results The mean alpha angle value on the oblique axial plane was (39.5±6.51)º,Alpha angles greater than 55° were found in 14 joints of 12 cases(10%,12/120) on the oblique axial plane image,10 cases were unilateral and 2 cases were bilateral. The mean alpha angle values at the 12,1,2,3 o’clock position were (42.8±7.3)º,(48.8±7.6 )º,(47.3±7.2)º,(40.2±6.7)º, respectively. 106 Alpha angles greater than 55° in total were found on the radial plane images. 54 abnormal alpha angles were measured at the 1:00 position, including 35% (42 /120)of the subjects.30 cases were unilateral and 12 cases were bilateral.The differences of the alpha angles between the oblique axial and the radial 12 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 2o'clock plane reached statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusion Alpha angle measurements on the radial plane images may be more accurate. The frequency of cam-type FAI morphology was high in a young population without symptoms.

Key words

Femoroacetabular impingement / Hip / Computed tomography

Cite this article

Download Citations
FANG Ting-Song, KE Qi, YUAN Jian-Xiang, BANG Chao, LIANG Zhen-Hua. Comparison of CT alpha angle Measurement Planes in a Young Population without Symptoms[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy. 2014, 32(4): 416-419 https://doi.org/10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2014.04.011

References


[1] Ganz R, Parvizi J, Beck M, et al. Femoroacetabular impingement:a cause for osteoarthritis of the hip
[J]. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2003, 417:112-120.

[2] Nötzli HP, Wyss TF, Stoecklin CH, et al. The contour of the femoral head-neck junction as a predictor for the risk of anterior impingement
[J].J Bone Joint Surg Br, 2002, 84(4):556-60.

[3]  程晓光, 过哲, 张晶, 等. 正常中国成人股骨颈α角的CT测量及股骨头颈交界处形态分型
[J].中华放射学杂志, 2010, 44(11):1126-1130.

[4]  Rakhra KS, Sheikh AM, Allen D, ,et al. Comparison of MRI alpha angle measurement planes in femoroacetabular impingement
[J]. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2009, 467(3) :660-665.

[5] Hack K, Di Primio G, Rakhra K,et al.Prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular impingement morphology in asymptomatic volunteers
[J]. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2010, 92(14):2436-2444.

[6] Beck M,Kalhor M,Leunig M,et al. Hip morphology influences the pattern of damage to the acetabular cartilage: femoroacetabular impingement as a cause of early osteoarthritis of the hip
[J].J Bone Joint Surg Br, 2005,87(7):1012-1018.

[7] Myers SR, Eijer H, Ganz R. Anterior femoroacetabular impingement after periacetabular osteotomy
[J].Clin Orthop Relat Res, 1999, (363):93-99.

[8] Jung KA, Restrepo C, Hellman M, et al. The prevalence of cam-type femoroacetabular deformity in asymptomatic adults
[J]. J Bone Joint Surg Br, 2011, 93(10):1303-1307.

[9] James SL, Ali K, Malara F, et al. MRI findings of femoroacetabular impingement
[J].AJR Am J Roentgenol, 2006,187(6):1412-1419.

[10]Laborie LB, Lehmann TG, Engesæter IØ, et al. Prevalence of radiographic findings thought to be associated with femoroacetabular impingement in a population-based cohort of 2081 healthy young adults
[J].Radiology, 2011, 260(2):494-502.

Accesses

Citation

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/