Automatic 3D Volumetric Analysys of the Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmotic Incisura: A Case-Control Study of Subtle Chronic Syndesmotic Instability (original) (raw)

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis; Arthroscopy; Sports Introduction/Purpose: Chronic subtle distal tibiofibular syndesmotic instability (DTFSI) is relatively common, and consequences of undiagnosed injuries can be devastating. Diagnosing acute and chronic injuries is challenging, and the most commonly used diagnostic tools are physical exams, conventional radiographs and bilateral CT, and MRI. Arthroscopic assessment, an invasive method, is currently considered the gold standard. Weightbearing CT has just emerged as an excellent dynamic non-invasive diagnostic test. Recent literature highlighted the accuracy of syndesmotic incisura area measurements in diagnosing subtle DTFSI. The aim of our study was to develop and validate the use of a novel automatic 3D volumetric assessment of the incisura, and to compare the measurements between patients with surgically confirmed DTFSI and controls. Methods: In this IRB-approved case-control study, patients with suspected unilateral chronic subt...