Predicting the Hamstring Graft Size for ACL Reconstruction Using a 3D Tendon Model in Preoperative MRI

Background: Rupture of the ACL is a common injury among men and women athletes. While planning the surgical ACL reconstruction procedure, the eventual graft's diameter is extremely important. Many parameters are therefore evaluated pre-surgery to ensure access to reliable data for estimating the graft diameter. Considering this, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly qualitative analyses of the hamstring tendons, offers a promising approach. Methods: In a retrospective analysis, we carried out 3D segmentation of the gracilis (GT) and semitendinosus tendon (ST) utilizing MRI with varying slice thicknesses and field strengths. The cross-sectional area (CSA) was calculated on different levels (by relying on the models we had thus created) to generate a mean of CSA with six specific segments. We then correlated the mean CSA with the diameter of the graft measured during surgery. Results: A total of 32 patients were included (12 female, 20 male) in this retrospective analysis. We observed the largest CSA in segment 10 mm-0 (16.8 ± 6.1) with differences between men and women. The graft size and tendon diameter correlated significantly in all segments throughout our study cohort. The strongest correlation was apparent in the segment 10 mm-0 (r = 0.552). Conclusions: MRI-based 3D segmentation and the STGT CSA represent a reliable method for estimating preoperatively a quadrupled hamstring graft diameter. The 10 mm-0 mm segment above the joint line showed a strong correlation, making it an ideal reference for graft planning.