Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of acetabular orientation in normal Chinese children

There are no data regarding the acetabular orientation on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); this study investigates the changes of acetabular orientation with age in normal Chinese children. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of children who underwent hip MRI examination at our hospital from January 2009 to December 2015. A total of 180 patients with normal MRI reading of the hip joints were included and were divided into 14 groups according to age: from 6 months of age and then for each year from 1 to 16 years. The bony and cartilage acetabular anteversion angle (AAA), acetabular inclination angle (AIA), and acetabular index (AI) were measured. Total bony and cartilage femoral head coverage angles were measured on axial section total femoral head coverage angle (a-TCA) and coronal section total femoral head coverage angle (c-TCA). The mean bony AAA and AIA were 12.2 ± 2.5° and 50.9 ± 2.5°, respectively; both of them stayed constant from the age of 6 months to 16 years. Similar results were found in cartilage AAA (12.1 ± 2.5°) and AIA (41.2 ± 3.0°). There was no difference between bony and cartilage AAA, but bony AIA was significantly larger than cartilage AIA. Bony AI was 24.1 ± 2.4° at the age of 6 months, decreasing to 12.5 ± 2.3° by 12 to 13 years of age; cartilage AI (5.9 ± 1.7°) maintained a steady value with age. The mean bony a-TCA and c-TCA at 6 months were 117.0 ± 5.8° and 127.5 ± 5.1°, increasing to 144.5 ± 4.6° and 140.7 ± 2.5° at the age of 16 years. However, the cartilage a-TCA (145.2 ± 7.2°) and c-TCA (154.1 ± 5.7°) did not change significantly with age. Both bony and cartilage AAA and AIA remain constant up to the age of 16 years in normal Chinese pediatric population. Although the cartilage coverage of femoral head by the acetabulum remains unchanged with age, the bony coverage of femoral head increases.