Accuracy Verification of 4D-CT Analysis of Knee Joint Movements: A Pilot Study Using a Knee Joint Model and Motion-capture System

Abstract

BackgroundFour-dimensional CT(4D-CT) is an advanced imaging method with the ability to acquire kinematic and three-dimensional morphological information. Although its use for analysis of the six degrees of freedom in the knee is expected, its accuracy has not been reported. This study aimed to use the optical motion-capture method to verify the accuracy of 4D-CT analysis of knee joint movement.MethodsOne static CT and three 4D-CT examinations of the knee joint model were obtained. The knee joint model was passively moved in the CT gantry during 4D-CT acquisitions. 4D-CT and static CT examinations were matched to perform 3D-3D registration. An optical motion-capture system recorded the position-posture of the knee joint model simultaneously with the 4D-CT acquisitions. These results were used as the correct answer value, the position-posture measurements using 4D-CT were compared to these values, and the accuracy of the 4D-CT analysis of knee joint movements was quantitatively assessed. ResultsThe position-posture measurements obtained from 4D-CT showed similar tendency to those obtained from the motion-capture system. In the femorotibial joint, the difference in the spatial orientation between the two measurements was 0.7 mm in the X direction, 0.9 mm in the Y direction, and 2.8 mm in the Z direction. The difference in angle was 1.9° in the varus/valgus direction, 1.1° in the internal/external rotation, and 1.8° in extension/flexion. In the patellofemoral joint, the difference between the two measurements was 0.9 mm in the X direction, 1.3 mm in the Y direction, and 1.2 mm in the Z direction. The difference in angle was 0.9° for varus/valgus, 1.1° for internal/external rotation, and 1.3° for extension / flexion. Conclusions4D-CT with 3D-3D registration could record the position-posture of knee joint movements with an error of less than 3 mm and less than 2° when compared with the highly accurate motion-capture system. Knee joint movement analysis using 4D-CT with 3D-3D registration showed excellent accuracy for in vivo applications.

Fully automatic extraction of knee kinematics from dynamic CT imaging; normative tibiofemoral and patellofemoral kinematics of 100 healthy volunteers

“…A subject positioning protocol was used to ensure that the entire patella, and parts of the proximal tibia and the distal femur were continuously within the field of view during the scan. Prior validation studies have demonstrated that dynamic CT imaging is accurate ($1°and 1 mm of x,y,z rotation and translation) and comparable to other dynamic imaging techniques [9,10]. Given the high similarity in image acquisition, similar accuracies are expected in this study.…”