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- Talk
- 18/05/2021
- UK
An MRI Analysis of 500 Patients to Assess Variations in Popliteal Artery Anatomy
Description
This presentation, delivered by Niraj Vetharajan, focuses on a comprehensive MRI analysis of popliteal artery anatomy variations in a study involving 500 patients. The discussion opens with the background on the rarity of vascular complications (approximately 0.2%), emphasizing their severe implications for both patient health and the healthcare system. Vetharajan highlights existing literature suggesting that MRI effectively displays the anatomy of the popliteal artery, though there is limited guidance for orthopedic surgeons on interpretation.
The presentation details the objectives and methodology of the study, where the authors aimed to calculate the incidence of anatomical variations in the popliteal artery and establish relationships with surrounding structures, particularly the popliteus and posterior tibial cortex. A retrospective review was conducted, focusing on axial T2-weighted MRI sequences, with the involvement of orthopedic trainees and consultants alongside an MSK radiologist.
Results indicated that 91% of the scans exhibited normal anatomy, while 43 showed significant variations, some of which pose risks during procedures like high tibial osteotomy and PCL reconstruction. Notably, 22 patients had an artery branch positioned anterior to the popliteus, and 13 had a medial aspect, raising concerns regarding proximity to critical structures.
The study concludes that standard preoperative MRI can reveal abnormal anatomical variations, urging orthopedic surgeons to consider these findings when planning surgery. While acknowledging limitations such as imaging variability and the unclear correlation to intraoperative injury risk, Vetharajan invites questions, indicating a collaborative approach to addressing this critical area in orthopedic care.