3D MRI Quantification of Femoral Head Deformity in Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
3D Ultrasound Imaging: Fast and Cost-effective Morphometry of Musculoskeletal Tissue
Published on: November 27, 2017
Karen D Standefer1, Molly Dempsey1, ChanHee Jo1
1Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, Texas.
Insights
This study introduces a novel 3D MRI method to precisely measure femoral head deformity in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD). The technique accurately quantifies shape changes, offering a valuable tool for assessing treatment effectiveness in pediatric hip conditions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Research
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Orthopaedics
Background:
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) affects the femoral head in children.
- Accurate quantification of femoral head deformity is crucial for treatment evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify femoral head deformity in LCPD using a novel 3D MRI reconstruction and volume-based analysis.
- To assess the accuracy and reliability of this new method.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 1.5T MRI scans of 33 LCPD affected and 20 normal femoral heads.
- Created 3D digital reconstructions using MIMICS software.
- Quantified deformity via a 3D volume ratio method and two surface geometry methods.
Main Results:
- The 3D MRI volume ratio method accurately quantified femoral head deformity in LCPD.
- Deformity in LCPD heads ranged from 43% to 96% of a perfect hemisphere.
- High correlation (r=0.89-0.96) was found between volume ratio and surface geometry methods.
Conclusions:
- The novel 3D MRI volume ratio method provides accurate quantification of femoral head deformity in LCPD.
- This technique demonstrates subtle (<10%) shape changes.
- It serves as a valuable tool for evaluating treatment outcomes in LCPD.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to quantify femoral head deformity in patients with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) using a novel three dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction and volume based analysis. Bilateral femoral heads of 17 patients (mean age 9.9 ± 2.0 years; 12 boys, 5 girls) with LCPD were scanned 1-2 times (n = 33 LCPD heads, 20 normal heads) using a 1.5T MRI scanner. Fourteen patients had unilateral and three had bilateral LCPD with five hips in the Waldenström initial stage, 9 in the fragmentation stage, 14 in the reossification stage, and 5 in the healed stage. 3D digital reconstructions of femoral heads were created using MIMICS software. Deformity was quantified using a 3D volume ratio method based on reference hemisphere volume as well as two surface geometry methods. Intra-observer analysis showed that 97% of the LCPD femoral heads were within 10% of the original value and test shapes had 99.6% accuracy. For normal femoral heads, the volume ratios of all except one were between 95 and 98% (n = 20) of a perfect hemisphere volume. For femoral heads affected with LCPD, the volume ratios ranged from 43% to 96% of a perfect hemisphere (n = 33). The volume ratio method and the two surface geometry comparison methods had high correlation (r = 0.89 and 0.96). In summary, the 3D MRI volume ratio method allowed accurate quantification and demonstrated small changes (<10%) of the femoral head deformity in LCPD. This method may serve as a useful tool to evaluate the effects of treatment on femoral head shape. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2051-2058, 2017.
