Objective: To compare the measurements of bone tunnel width with computed tomography (CT) and plain radiography two years after anterior cruciate ligament single-bundle reconstruction.
Methods: Twenty patients underwent primary anterior cruciate ligament single-bundle reconstruction with hamstring autografts. There were 10 females and 10 males. Tibial and femoral bone tunnel widths were measured with CT and plain radiography at least two years post-operation. The average follow-up period was 26 months (range, 24-31). The tunnel measurements were taken at the widest point of tibial and femoral tunnels on sagittal and coronal CT and plain radiography perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of tunnels. All data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The tibial tunnel width of one case decreased on CT while all others increased. The average tibial tunnel width on coronal plain radiography was 0.9 ± 0.6 mm (range, 0.3-2.2) larger than that on CT. And the average width on sagittal plain radiography was 0.9 ± 0.5 mm (range, 0.1-2.1) larger than that on CT. Both were statistically significant. All femoral tunnel widths increased, except in 2 cases. The average femoral tunnel widths on coronal and sagittal plain radiography were both significantly larger than those on CT. And the difference were 0.7 ± 0.6 mm (range, 0-1.7) and 0.9 ± 0.7 mm (range, 0.1-2.7) respectively.
Conclusion: Bone tunnel measurements on plain radiography are significantly larger than those on CT after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.