The articularis genu muscle and its relevance in oncological surgical margins

Jessica Caterson; Matthew A Williams; Catherine McCarthy; Nicholas Athanasou; H Thomas Temple; Thomas Cosker; Max Gibbons

doi:10.1302/2633-1462.19.BJO-2020-0113.R1

The articularis genu muscle and its relevance in oncological surgical margins

Bone Jt Open. 2020 Sep 24;1(9):585-593. doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.19.BJO-2020-0113.R1. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Authors

Jessica Caterson¹, Matthew A Williams², Catherine McCarthy³, Nicholas Athanasou³, H Thomas Temple⁴, Thomas Cosker³, Max Gibbons³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, Oxford, UK.
² OUH NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.
³ Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
⁴ Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

PMID: 33215156
PMCID: PMC7659671
DOI: 10.1302/2633-1462.19.BJO-2020-0113.R1

Abstract

Aims: The aticularis genu (AG) is the least substantial and deepest muscle of the anterior compartment of the thigh and of uncertain significance. The aim of the study was to describe the anatomy of AG in cadaveric specimens, to characterize the relevance of AG in pathological distal femur specimens, and to correlate the anatomy and pathology with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of AG.

Methods: In 24 cadaveric specimens, AG was identified, photographed, measured, and dissected including neurovascular supply. In all, 35 resected distal femur specimens were examined. AG was photographed and measured and its utility as a surgical margin examined. Preoperative MRIs of these cases were retrospectively analyzed and assessed and its utility assessed as an anterior soft tissue margin in surgery. In all cadaveric specimens, AG was identified as a substantial structure, deep and separate to vastus itermedius (VI) and separated by a clear fascial plane with a discrete neurovascular supply. Mean length of AG was 16.1 cm ( ± 1.6 cm) origin anterior aspect distal third femur and insertion into suprapatellar bursa. In 32 of 35 pathological specimens, AG was identified (mean length 12.8 cm ( ± 0.6 cm)). Where AG was used as anterior cover in pathological specimens all surgical margins were clear of disease. Of these cases, preoperative MRI identified AG in 34 of 35 cases (mean length 8.8 cm ( ± 0.4 cm)).

Results: AG was best visualized with T1-weighted axial images providing sufficient cover in 25 cases confirmed by pathological findings.These results demonstrate AG as a discrete and substantial muscle of the anterior compartment of the thigh, deep to VI and useful in providing anterior soft tissue margin in distal femoral resection in bone tumours.

Conclusion: Preoperative assessment of cover by AG may be useful in predicting cases where AG can be dissected, sparing the remaining quadriceps muscle, and therefore function.Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-9:585-593.

Keywords: MRI; articularis genu; bone tumour; femoral resection; oncology; quadriceps.