Minimal impact of beam projection angle deviations in skyline (Laurin) view and the efficacy of the anterior border of proximal tibia as a guiding landmark

TL;DR

This study shows that small errors in X-ray angles for knee imaging don't affect measurements much, and a specific tibia landmark helps guide accurate imaging.

Contribution

Demonstrates the minimal impact of beam projection angle deviations and validates a tibial landmark for skyline view accuracy.

Findings

Patellofemoral indices remained consistent across different beam projection angles.

The anterior border of the proximal tibia aligns closely with the ideal beam projection angle.

Abstract

Obtaining an optimal knee skyline view is challenging due to inaccuracies in beam projection angles (BPAs) and soft tissue obscuring bony landmarks. This study aimed to assess the impact of BPA deviations on patellofemoral index measurements and assessed the anterior border of the proximal tibia as an anatomic landmark for guiding BPAs.

This retrospective study consisted of three parts. The first was a simulation study using 52 CT scans of knees with a 20° flexion contracture to replicate the skyline (Laurin) view. Digitally reconstructed radiographs simulated neutral, 5° downward, and 5° upward tilt BPAs. Five patellofemoral indices (sulcus angle, congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, lateral facet angle, and bisect ratio) were measured and compared. The second part was a proof of concept study on 162 knees to examine patellar indices differences across these BPAs. Lastly, the alignment of the anterior border of the proximal tibia with the BPA tangential to the patellar articular surface was tested from the CT scans.

No significant differences in patellofemoral indices were found across various BPAs in both the simulation and proof of concept studies (all p > 0.05). The angle between the anterior border of the proximal tibia and the patellar articular surface was 1.5 ± 5.3°, a statistically significant (p = 0.037) yet clinically acceptable deviation.

Patellofemoral indices in skyline view remained consistent regardless of BPA deviations. The anterior border of the proximal tibia proved to be an effective landmark for accurate beam projection.

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