Acetabular inclination and anteversion in infants using 3D MR imaging

Abstract

Purpose: To establish if 3D MR imaging could be used for measurements of acetabular inclination and anteversion in infants specimens.

Material and Methods: 3D MR data of 3 pelvic preparations of 6-week- to 10-month-old infant specimens was gathered. MR imaging in transaxial and frontal planes was carried out to measure the acetabular inclination and anteversion: a method to determine the MR planes for measurements is described. It was oriented on anatomical landmarks of the pelvis and therefore allowed adjustment of the frontal and transaxial planes, independent of the pelvis position.

Results: The mean acetabular inclination angle was 48°, and the mean acetabular anteversion was 23°. Because of the low number of cases the results can only be assessed as a tendency, but MR imaging seems to be suitable for measurements of acetabular inclination and anteversion.