Influence of patellar type and localization on chondromaliacia of patella, magnetic resonanse diagnostics

Tomas Žukauskas Master’s thesis – influence of patellar type and localization on chondromaliacia of patella, magnetic resonanse diagnostics. Academic supervisor Prof. Eglė Monastyreckienė. Place of study was Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Radiology department. The aim of study: to investigate the link between patellar type and localization with chondromaliacia of the patella using magnetic resonanse imaging. The objectives were: to investigate patellar type’s influence on its chondromalacia, to determine the link between patellar localization (patellar height and its tilt) and chondromalacia patella, to compare the influence of different predisposing factors (patellar type and its localization) on the chondromalacia of the patella. Methods: the research included all 18-30 year patients who had a magnetic resonance scan of their knee joint in the hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Radiology Department in 2013-2015. The research did not include those patients with their knee meniscus or/and ligament tear. The research was done by content analysis method by measuring patellar height and tilt, chondromalacia and its degree. All the measurements were done in the same PD_FS sequences, in axial and sagittal planes. International cartilage repair association (ICRS) classification was used evaluate chondromalacia and its degree. Patellar type was divided into three groups, according to the Wiberg classification. Patellar tilt was determined by measuring ,,Laurin” angle, while its height was evaluated by using Insall-Salvati ratio. Results: the research included 70 men (65,4%) and 37 women (34,6). The mean age was 24,6 ± 3,5 years. There was no evidence noted that sex had an impact on chondromalacia. Patellar type A was the most common, while type C had the significant correlation with chondromalacia of the patella. It was measured that patellar height was directly related to chondromalacia of the patella. Besides, the higher patella was diagnosed, the bigger degree of chondromalacia was observed. Patellar tilt was diagnosed to 30,3% of patients and they statistically more often had chondromalalacia of the patella compared to those who did not have tilt. The most common predisposing factor met was high patella whereas the most significant factor to the chondromalacia of the patellar surface was C type patella. It was evaluated that the more predisposing factors were seen in the patient’s images, there was a higher chance for chondromalacia to develop