Paper 24: Reliability of Posterior Tibial Slope Measurement on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Computed Tomography

• Published in: Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine 2023-07, Vol.11 (7_suppl3)
• Main Authors: Wen, Deborah, Bohlen, Hunter, Wang, Dean
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agreements; Magnetic resonance imaging; Tomography
• ISSN: 2325-9671; 2325-9671
• DOI: 10.1177/2325967123S00050

Objectives: Increased posterior tibial slope (PTS) has been linked to higher rates of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and ACL graft failure post-reconstruction. In recent years, more specific investigations have delineated distinct roles of the medial tibial plateau (MTP) and lateral tibial plateau (LTP) geometries on anteroposterior and rotatory stability of the knee. While the diagnostic workup of patients with ACL insufficiency typically consists of radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), which is the gold standard for evaluating the osseous geometry of the proximal tibia, is not routinely obtained. With increased understanding of the roles of the MTP and LTP geometries on tibiofemoral kinematics, accurate sagittal slope measurements of both the MTP and LTP will be crucial for further defining the treatment algorithm for ACL insufficiency. It is currently unknown whether traditional MRI can be used to accurately measure PTS and how well these measurements correlate to those on CT. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare PTS measurements of the MTP and LTP on MRI versus CT. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, an institutional picture archiving and communication system imaging database was retrospectively queried for patients that received concurrent MRI and CT imaging of the same knee within a one-year interval. Knees with significant arthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade >2), deformity, proximal tibia fracture, or artifact that obscured visualization of proximal tibia landmarks were excluded. On paired MRI and CT studies, PTS of the MTP and LTP were measured using a previously described, validated method (Hudek et al, Clin Orthop Relat Res, 2009) by two independent raters (Figure 1). Interrater reliability of PTS measurements was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Intermethod agreement between MRI and CT measurements was assessed using the ICC and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: A total of 41 knees in 40 patients (mean age, 37.9±13.4 years, 78.0% male) met final inclusion criteria. Interrater reliability was moderate for MRI measurements (ICC = 0.62-0.73) and high for CT measurements (ICC = 0.83-0.86). Mean measurements of PTS at the MTP were 3.3±2.8° (range, -4.7-8.4°) and 3.7±3.1° (range, -3.8-10.4°) on MRI and CT, respectively. Mean measurements of PTS at the LTP were 4.5±3.8° (range, -8.0-10.6°) and 5.2±3.6° (range, -3.6-15.7°) on MRI and CT,