MRI multiplanar reconstruction in the assessment of congenital talipes equinovarus.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to be a useful tool in the evaluation of the complex deformities which are present in congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate MRI with the multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) technique as a new method for assessment of clubfoot.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven infants with 11 clubfeet were studied by using three-dimensional gradient-echo MR sequences. MPR was performed from the acquired image data in orthogonal, single and double oblique planes to demonstrate the complex deformities in clubfoot. Three angles (talar body-neck angle, talocalcaneal left-right angle and the talocalcaneal superior-inferior angle) were defined for measuring the medial angulation of the talar neck and the rotation of the calcaneus in relation to the talus.

RESULTS: The method clearly demonstrated the pathological anatomy of the clubfeet, especially the talonavicular articulations. Dislocation of the navicular bone was observed in 9 of the 11 feet. The angle measurements were easily conducted with MPR, and these angles differed considerably among the patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The information provided by this method is useful for classification of the severity of clubfoot deformities.