Vet Med - Czech, 2024, 69(12):427-436 | DOI: 10.17221/50/2024-VETMED

Accuracy and reliability of tibial torsion measurement using radiography and ultrasound in dogsOriginal Paper

M Jeong, K Kwack, J Kim, Y Yu, S Heo
Department of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jeonbuk National University, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea

Tibial torsion assessment is crucial for understanding deformities and malalignments that can lead to joint pathologies in dogs. Different methods such as radiography, computed tomography (CT), and three-dimensional (3D) volume-rendering techniques have been employed to measure tibial torsion. This study compared the accuracy and reliability of tibial torsion angle (TTa) measurements obtained using radiography and ultrasound tilting techniques against those obtained using the 3D volume-rendering method in small-to-medium-sized non-chondrodystrophic dogs. Seven dogs with 11 hind limbs were included in this study. Descriptive statistics revealed mean TTa values for radiography (1.6° ± 5.14°), ultrasound (2.92° ± 3.98°), CT (4.57° ± 3.44°), and 3D volume-rendering method (5.29° ± 3.30°). Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis indicated excellent intra- and interobserver agreement between the radiography and ultrasound methods. Correlation analysis showed positive correlations between all the methods. These findings demonstrate that radiography and the ultrasound tilting technique are reliable alternatives for measuring TTa. Although slightly lower ICC values were observed than those of the 3D volume-rendering technique, the radiography and ultrasound methods still exhibited good to excellent reliability, suggesting that these alternative methods could be effective diagnostic tools for assessing TTa in clinical settings with high accuracy and reliability.

Keywords: intraclass correlation coefficients; non-chondrodystrophic dog; tibial torsion angle

Received: June 12, 2024; Revised: November 14, 2024; Accepted: November 21, 2024; Published: December 27, 2024  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Jeong M, Kwack K, Kim J, Yu Y, Heo S. Accuracy and reliability of tibial torsion measurement using radiography and ultrasound in dogs. Vet Med - Czech. 2024;69(12):427-436. doi: 10.17221/50/2024-VETMED.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Apelt D, Kowaleski MP, Dyce J. Comparison of computed tomographic and standard radiographic determination of tibial torsion in the dog. Vet Surg. 2005 Sep-Oct;34(5):457-62. Go to original source...
    2. Aper R, Kowaleski MP, Apelt D, Drost WT, Dyce J. Computed tomographic determination of tibial torsion in the dog. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2005 May-Jun;46(3):187-91. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Barnes DM, Anderson AA, Frost C, Barnes J. Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements of femoral and tibial alignment using computed tomography multiplanar reconstructions. Vet Surg. 2015 Jan;44(1):85-93. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Borish CN, Mueske NM, Wren TAL. A comparison of three methods of measuring tibial torsion in children with myelomeningocele and normally developing children. Clin Anat. 2017 Nov;30(8):1043-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Bouchard R, Meeder PJ, Krug F, Libicher M. Bestimmung der Tibiatorsion - Vergleich von klinischen Winkelmessungen zur Computertomographie [Evaluation of tibial torsion - Comparison of clinical methods and computed tomography]. Rofo. 2004 Sep;176(9):1278-84. German. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. Butler-Manuel PA, Guy RL, Heatley FW. Measurement of tibial torsion: A new technique applicable to ultrasound and computed tomography. Br J Radiol. 1992 Feb;65(770):119-22. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Clementz BG. Assessment of tibial torsion and rotational deformity with a new fluoroscopic technique. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1989 Aug;(245):199-209. Go to original source...
    8. Clementz BG. Fluoroscopy of rotation in tibial fractures. Acta Orthop Scand. 1989 Apr;60(2):204-7. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Dismukes DI, Tomlinson JL, Fox DB, Cook JL, Song KJ. Radiographic measurement of the proximal and distal mechanical joint angles in the canine tibia. Vet Surg. 2007 Nov-Dec;36(8):699-704. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Dunlap AE, Kim SE, Lewis DD, Christopher SA, Pozzi A. Outcomes and complications following surgical correction of grade IV medial patellar luxation in dogs: 24 cases (2008-2014). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016 Jul 15;249(2):208-13. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    11. Fitzpatrick CL, Krotscheck U, Thompson MS, Todhunter RJ, Zhang Z. Evaluation of tibial torsion in Yorkshire Terriers with and without medial patellar luxation. Vet Surg. 2012 Dec;41(8):966-72. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Fleiss JL. The design and analysis of clinical experiments. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1986.
    13. Guven M, Akman B, Unay K, Ozturan EK, Cakici H, Eren A. A new radiographic measurement method for evaluation of tibial torsion: A pilot study in adults. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009 Jul;467(7):1807-12. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Hudson D, Royer T, Richards J. Ultrasound measurements of torsions in the tibia and femur. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2006 Jan;88(1):138-43. Go to original source...
    15. Hudson D. A comparison of ultrasound to goniometric and inclinometer measurements of torsion in the tibia and femur. Gait Posture. 2008 Nov;28(4):708-10. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. L'Eplattenier H, Montavon P. Patellar luxation in dogs and cats: Management and prevention. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2002;24(4):292-8.
    17. Liodakis E, Doxastaki I, Chu K, Krettek C, Gaulke R, Citak M, Kenawey M. Reliability of the assessment of lower limb torsion using computed tomography: Analysis of five different techniques. Skeletal Radiol. 2012 Mar;41(3):305-11. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Longo F, Nicetto T, Banzato T, Pozzi A, Contiero B, Isola M. Automated computation of femoral angles in dogs from three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions: Comparison with manual techniques. Vet J. 2018 Jan;232:6-12. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Longo F, Savio G, Contiero B, Banzato T, Nicetto T, Isola M. Accuracy of an automated three-dimensional technique for the computation of femoral angles in dogs. Vet Rec. 2019 Oct 5;185(14):443. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Longo F, Nicetto T, Pozzi A, Contiero B, Isola M. A three-dimensional computed tomographic volume rendering methodology to measure the tibial torsion angle in dogs. Vet Surg. 2021 Jan;50(1):61-70. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Lusetti F, Bonardi A, Eid C, de Bellesini AB, Martini FM. Pelvic limb alignment measured by computed tomography in purebred English Bulldogs with medial patellar luxation. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2017 May;30(3):200-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Miller F, Liang Y, Merlo M, Harcke HT. Measuring anteversion and femoral neck-shaft angle in cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1997 Feb;39(2):113-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    23. Miller F, Merlo M, Liang Y, Kupcha P, Jamison J, Harcke HT. Femoral version and neck shaft angle. J Pediatr Orthop. 1993 May-Jun;13(3):382-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    24. Milner CE, Soames RW. A comparison of four in vivo methods of measuring tibial torsion. J Anat. 1998 Aug;193(Pt 2):139-44. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    25. Newman M, Voss K. Computed tomographic evaluation of femoral and tibial conformation in English Staffordshire Bull Terriers with and without congenital medial patellar luxation. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2017 May;30(3):191-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. Paley D. Growth plate considerations. In: Paley D, Herzenberg JE, editors. Principles of deformity correction. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 2005. p. 703-10.
    27. Panou A, Stanitski DF, Stanitski C, Peccati A, Portinaro NM. Intra-observer and inter-observer errors in CT measurement of torsional profiles of lower limbs: A retrospective comparative study. J Orthop Surg Res. 2015 Apr 17;10:67. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Petazzoni M, Jaeger GH. Atlas of clinical goniometry and radiographic measurements of the canine pelvic limb. 2nd ed. Duluth (GA): Merial; 2008. p. 60-71.
    29. Phetkaew T, Kalpravidh M, Penchome R, Wangdee C. A comparison of angular values of the pelvic limb with normal and medial patellar luxation stifles in Chihuahua dogs using radiography and computed tomography. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2018 Mar;31(2):114-23. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Sangeux M, Mahy J, Graham HK. Do physical examination and CT-scan measures of femoral neck anteversion and tibial torsion relate to each other? Gait Posture. 2014 Jan;39(1):12-6. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    31. Savio G, Baroni T, Concheri G, Banzato T, Montin E, Zotti A. Computation of femoral canine morphometric parameters in three-dimensional geometrical models. Vet Surg. 2016 Nov;45(8):987-95. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    32. Shin SY, Yoon CH, Lee ES, Kim YW, Kim YB. The availability of radiological measurement of tibial torsion: Three-dimensional computed tomography reconstruction. Ann Rehabil Med. 2011 Dec;35(6):673-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Slocum B, Devine T. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy certification course. Eugene, OR, Slocum-Enterprises, Inc., March 3-5, 2000.
    34. Terjesen T, Anda S. Femoral anteversion in children measured by ultrasound. Acta Orthop Scand. 1987 Aug;58(4):403-6. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Yasukawa S, Edamura K, Tanegashima K, Seki M, Teshima K, Asano K, Hayashi K. Evaluation of bone deformities of the femur, tibia, and patella in Toy Poodles with medial patellar luxation using computed tomography. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2016 Jan;29(1):29-35. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content