Search

Background It is difficult to assess the orientation of the acetabular component on routine radiographs. We present a method for determining the spatial orientation of the acetabular component after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using computed tomography. Patients and methods Two CT-scans, 10 min apart, were obtained from each of 10 patients after THA. Using locally developed software, two independent examiners measured the orientation of the acetabular component in relation to the pelvis. The measurements were repeated after one week. To be independent of the patient position during scanning, the method involved two steps. Firstly, a 3D volumetric image of the pelvis was brought into a standard pelvic orientation, then the orientation of the acetabular component was measured. The orientation of the acetabular component was expressed as operative anteversion and inclination relative to an internal pelvic reference coordinate system. To evaluate precision, we compared measurements across pairs of CT volumes between observers and trials. Results Mean absolute interobserver angle error was 2.3degrees for anteversion (range 0-6.6degrees), and 1.1degrees for inclination (range 0-4.6degrees). For interobserver measurements, the precision, defined as one standard deviation, was 2.9degrees for anteversion, and 1.5degrees for inclination. A Student's West showed that the overall differences between the examiners, trials, and cases were not significant. Data were normally distributed and were not dependent on examiner or trial. Interpretation We conclude that the implant angles of the acetabular component in relation to the pelvis could be detected repeatedly using CT, independently of patient positioning., QC 20100525, QC 20111012

Purpose: To validate a CT method for detecting changes in acetabular cup orientation after THA. Material and Methods: 26 CT examinations were obtained from a pelvic model with an uncemented acetabular cup. The model position was altered between acquisitions, but the cup axis angle vis-a-vis the pelvis was maintained. Data sets were combined into 37 pairs, each containing a unique positioning error. The pelvi in different examinations were fused, creating transformed volumes. Landmarks corresponding to the cup before and after fusion were placed interactively by two independent examiners. The orientation of the acetabular axis was calculated for each volume and compared across volumes. Results: Before fusion the mean angle error between the acetabular axes was 4.17degrees (SD +/- 1.95degrees). After fusion the mean angle error was 0.36degrees (SD +/- 0.17). The 95% repeatability limits were below 0.7degrees. There was no significant interobserver difference. Analysis of the cup landmarking pattern by condition numbers and individual landmark errors showed stability. Conclusion: Non-invasive fusion of CT volumes and a stable landmarking pattern for the acetabular cup outperforms routine plain radiography in detecting changes in the orientation of the acetabular axis over time. The method delivers both visual and numerical output and could be used in clinical practice., QC 20100525 NR 20140804

Purpose: 3D detection of centerpoints of prosthetic cup and head after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using CT. Material and Methods: Two CT examinations, 10 min apart, were obtained from each of 10 patients after THA. Two independent examiners placed landmarks in images of the prosthetic cup and head. All landmarking was repeated after 1 week. Centerpoints were calculated and compared. Results: Within volumes, all measurements of centerpoints of cup and head fell, with a 95% confidence, within one CT-voxel of any other measurement of the same object. Across two volumes, the mean error of distance between center of cup and prosthetic head was 1.4 mm (SD 0.73). Intra- and interobserver 95% accuracy limit was below 2 mm within and below 3 mm across volumes. No difference between intra- and interobserver measurements occurred. A formula for converting finite sets of point landmarks in the radiolucent tread of the cup to a centerpoint was stable. The percent difference of the landmark distances from a calculated spherical surface was within one CT-voxel. This data was normally distributed and not dependent on observer or trial. Conclusion: The true 3D position of the centers of cup and prosthetic head can be detected using CT. Spatial relationship between the components can be analyzed visually and numerically., QC 20100525 NR 20140804