Anterior cruciate ligament bundle measurement by MRI.

OBJECTIVE: An accurate in vivo method of measuring dimensions of the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) bundles has not been established. The purpose of this study was to measure each individual bundle using double oblique axial MR imaging of the ACL, to compare this with cadaveric measurements, and to investigate the range of measurements seen in normal subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In five cadaveric knees, measurements obtained of the proximal, middle, and distal segments of each ACL bundle from double oblique axial MR images were compared with direct measurements following anatomical dissection. Thereafter, the size of both bundles from 24 normal knees was measured using an identical MR technique. Inter-observer variation was calculated using intraclass correlation. RESULTS: ACL bundle measurement in the cadaveric knees had a strong correlation (r = 0.93) with measurements obtained following anatomical dissection. No significant difference existed between measurements obtained from cadaveric knees and living normal subjects (p > 0.05). Interobserver correlation for MR measurements was excellent (R = 0.92-0.93). Overall, the long and short axis of the AM bundle were significantly larger than those of the PL bundle (p < 0.05). Also, men showed significantly larger AM and PL bundles than women (p < 0.05). Bundle size was not related to age or knee dominance. CONCLUSION: The individual ACL bundles can be accurately measured on double oblique axial MR imaging. The AM bundle is larger in caliber than the PL bundle. Both bundles are larger in men than in women and there is no significant side-to side difference.

Disseminated amyloidosis presenting with right proximal femur pathological fracture in a haemodialysis end-stage renal failure patient.

Osteoarticular amyloidosis can be one of the musculoskeletal system manifestations related to dialysis. We share our experience in dealing with a case of disseminated haemodialysis-associated amyloidosis in a 74-year-old end-stage renal failure patient. This patient suffered from a serious complication, namely an unprovoked pathological fracture at the basal neck region of the right femur. Polyarticular cystic and lytic lesions over the contralateral proximal femur, bilateral proximal humerus and the right lunate were noted on further imaging. In view of extensive amyloidotic infiltration into the proximal femur as well as the acetabulum, a cemented total hip arthroplasty operation was performed for pain relief and restoration of function. The radiological investigations, diagnostic challenges, operative as well as histopathological findings are discussed. This disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pathological juxta-articular fracture in patients undergoing haemodialysis.