Diagnosis of acetabular retroversion: Three signs positive and increased retroversion index have higher specificity and higher diagnostic accuracy compared to isolated positive cross over sign

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejro.2022.100407
• Publication Date: 2022-02-25T17:49:08Z
• Authors: Till D. Lerch; Malin K. Meier; Adam Boschung; Simon D. Steppacher; Klaus A. Siebenrock; Moritz Tannast; Florian Schmaranzer
• Keywords: Femoroacetabular Impingement

The crossover-sign (COS) is a radiographic sign for diagnosis of acetabular-retroversion(AR) in patients with femoroacetabular-impingement (FAI) but overestimates AR. Three signs combined with retroversion-index (RI) could potentially improve diagnostic-accuracy.(1)To calculate central acetabular-version (AV, CT/MRI) in patients with isolated positive COS and in patients with three radiographic signs for AR on radiographs (AP).(2)To calculate diagnostic performance of positive COS and of three signs combined with retroversion-index (RI) > 30% on radiographs (AP) to detect global AR (AV < 10°, CT/MRI).A retrospective, IRB-approved, controlled diagnostic study comparing radiographic signs for AR (AP radiographs) with MRI/CT-based measurement of central AV was performed. 462 symptomatic patients (538 hips) with FAI or hip-dysplasia were compared to control-group (48 hips). Three signs for AR(on radiographs) were analyzed: COS, posterior-wall-sign and ischial-spine-sign. RI (synonym cross-over-index) quantifies overlap of anterior and posterior wall in case of positive COS. Diagnostic performance for COS and for three signs combined with RI > 30% to detect central AV < 10° (global AR) was calculated.(1)Central AV was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased (13 ± 6°, CT/MRI) in patients with three signs for AR and RI > 30% on radiographs compared to patients with positive COS (18 ± 7°).(2)Sensitivity and specificity of three signs combined with RI > 30% on radiographs was 85% and 63% (87% and 23% for COS). Negative-predictive-value (NPV) was 94% (93% for COS) to rule out global AR (AV < 10°, CT/MRI). Diagnostic accuracy increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 31% (COS) to 68% using three signs.Improved specificity and diagnostic accuracy for diagnosis of global AR can help to avoid misdiagnosis. Global AR can be ruled out with a probability of 94% (NPV) in the absence of three radiographic signs combined with retroversion-index < 30% (e.g. isolated COS positive).