Visualization of osteochondral fragments in the cavity of the knee joint in case of patellar dislocation in children

The objective was to assess the capabilities of MRI and CT in visualizing free bone and cartilage fragments in the knee cavity after lateral dislocation of the patella.

Materials and methods. CT and MRI were performed in 220 patients, including 127 girls and 93 boys aged 12 to 18 years (mean age 14.5 years), with acute lateral patellar dislocation.

Results. Lateral dislocation of the patella in 25% of cases led to the appearance of osteochondral fragments. CT scan revealed and confirmed osteochondral fragments surgery in 55 people (100%), MRI scan — in 50 people (90%). The sites of the detachment of the osteochondral fragments were: a medial facet of the patella in 22 (38.8%), the outer edge of femur lateral condyle in 33 (58.2%), t patella and lateral condyle of the femur in 2 patients (3%). Free cartilage fragments not detected by CT were detected by MRI in 2 patients.

Conclusion. Patellar dislocation is an injury that is likely to require surgery. The volume of osteochondral and soft tissue lesions can be established with the maximum degree of probability by MRI while detecting small osteochondral fragments is most reliable with CT. Combining these two observation methods provides the complete possible information about the extent of damage, which allows timely resolution of treatment tactics.

Contribution:
Akhadov T.A., Bozhko O.V., Melnikov I.A., Valiullina S.A. — research concept and design;
Dmitrenko D.M., Kostikova T.D. — collection and analysis of data;
Ublinskiy M.V., Bozhko O.V. — statistical analysis;
Akhadov T.A., Bozhko O.V. — writing text;
Akhadov T.A., Bozhko O.V., Ublinskiy M.V. — editing;
Akhadov T.A., Bozhko O.V., Melnikov I.A., Valiullina S.A. — approval of the final version of the article;
Akhadov T.A., Bozhko O.V. — responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: September 20, 2021
Accepted: October 28, 2021
Published: November 15, 2021

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