ULTRASONOGRAPHY VERSUS COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY IN EVALUATION OF THE FEMORAL TROCHLEAR GROOVE MORPHOLOGY - A PILOT-STUDY ON HEALTHY, YOUNG VOLUNTEERS

The aim of the stud, was to verify the efficacy of ultrasonography (US ) in evaluating the morphology of normal trochlea, especially the sulc us angle and the trochlear depth. in comparison with computed tomograp hy (CT) (gold standard). The knees of 11 asymptomatic volunteers were subjected to US and CT evaluation of the same section planes and the r esults were compared. For statistical evaluation Spearman's correlatio n coefficient analysis was used, A statistically significant correlati on was found between the two diagnostic procedures (sulcus angle: r = 0.820, trochlear depth: r = 0.802; Spearman's correlation coefficient) and the intra-observer variability for the US measurements (sulcus an gle: r = 0.966; trochlear depth: r = 0.914; Spearman's correlation coe fficient), The mean value of sulcus angle and trochlear depth was 132 degrees and 5.6 mm. respectively, similar to those reported in the lit erature. We conclude that evaluation by US of both sulcus angle and tr ochlear depth is as reproducible and sensitive as that performed with CT.