The role of the anterior border of the hip bone in sexual dimorphism: a morphometric study in the North Indian population

Anatomy of the iliopsoas notch and its relationship with morphology of the proximal femur

PURPOSE

Discrepancy between the morphology of the acetabular margin and the design of hemispheric acetabular cups used in total hip arthroplasty may produce postoperative hip pain due to an iliopsoas impingement at the iliopsoas notch. This study aimed to determine the anatomical features of the iliopsoas notch in the Central European sample, and to test whether the morphology of the proximal femur affects the size of the iliopsoas notch.

METHODS

The sample was composed of 40 matched pairs of dry hip bones and corresponding femora. The depth and length of the iliopsoas notch were measured and correlated with the available demographic data. The anthropometric parameters of the proximal femur were calculated using image-analysis software, and their association with the measurements of the iliopsoas notch was tested.

RESULTS

The iliopsoas notch was present in all specimens and featured four morphological configurations: curved (61.3%), angular (16.2%), irregular (16.2%), and straight (6.3%). Its size was found to be larger in males (P = 0.014 for depth, P < 0.001 for length). No significant difference existed between the sides. The height and age of the specimens did not correlate with the size of the iliopsoas notch. Furthermore, neither the femoral neck version, the lesser trochanteric version, nor the angle between the neck of the femur and the lesser trochanter influenced the dimensions of the iliopsoas notch.

CONCLUSION

The iliopsoas notch is a consistent landmark of the acetabulum, although its anatomical appearance is widely variable. The iliopsoas notch arrangement cannot be predicted perioperatively based on the morphology of the proximal femur. The various shapes and sex-related differences detected in this study could be used for designing new hip implants or could be utilized during cup positioning in total hip arthroplasty.

Anatomical characterization of the inguinal lymph nodes using microcomputed tomography to inform radical inguinal lymph node dissections in penile cancer

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Radical inguinal lymph node dissections (rILND) for penile cancer risk significant postoperative lymphocele and lymphedema. However, reducing the risk of lymphatic complications is limited by our understanding of lymphatic anatomy. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the lymphatic anatomy within the current surgical borders of a rILND.

METHODS

To visualize the position of the lymph nodes, tissue packets excised from the inguinal region of five fresh, male cadavers were imaged using microcomputed tomography (µCT). To standardize the position, rotation and size between specimens, each lymph node packet was aligned using a Generalized Procrustes analysis.

RESULTS

There was a median of 13.5 lymph nodes (range = 8-18) per packet, with the majority (99%) clustered within a 6 cm radius of the saphenofemoral junction; a region 39%-41% smaller than current surgical borders. No difference existed between the number of nodes between sides, or distribution around the saphenofemoral junction.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides the first 3D, in situ, standardized characterization of lymph node anatomy in the inguinal region using µCT. By using knowledge of the normal lymphatic anatomy, this study can help inform the reduction in borders of rILND to limit disruption and ensure a complete lymphadenectomy.

Anatomical variation of the Psoas Valley: a scoping review

Background

This scoping review aimed to investigate the literature on the anatomy of the psoas valley, an anterior depression on the acetabular rim, and propose a unified definition of the anatomical structure, describe its dimensions, anatomical variations and clinical implications.

Methods

A systematic computer search of EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane for literature related to the psoas valley was undertaken using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical outcome studies, prospective/retrospective case series, case reports and review articles that described the psoas valley and its synonyms were included. Studies on animals as well as book chapters were excluded.

Results

Of the 313 articles, the filtered literature search identified 14 papers describing the psoas valley and its synonyms such as iliopsoas notch, a notch between anterior inferior iliac spine and the iliopubic eminence, Psoas-U and anterior wall depression. Most of these were cross-sectional studies that mainly analyzed normal skeletal hips. In terms of anatomical variation, 4 different configurations of the anterior acetabular rim have been identified and it was found that the curved type was the most frequent while the straight type may be nonexistent. Additionally, the psoas valley tended to be deeper in males as compared with females. Several papers established the psoas valley, or Psoas-U in a consistent location at approximately 3 o’clock on the acetabular rim which may have implications with labral pathology.

Conclusion

This review highlights the importance of the anatomy of the psoas valley which is a consistent bony landmark. The anatomy and the anatomical variations of the psoas valley need to be well-appreciated by surgeons involved in the management of young adults with hip pathology and also joint replacement surgeons to ensure appropriate seating of the acetabular component.

Sex Determination by Biometry of Anterior Features of Human Hip Bones in South Indian Population

INTRODUCTION

Sex determination is the first step in establishing the identity of skeletal remains. Many studies included biometry of posterior features of hip bone. Very few studies are reported involving the biometry of anterior features of the hip bone. Anterior features of hip bone are important especially, if there is damage to the posterior features of hip bone in cases involving deliberate disfigurement of the body to resist identification of the crime in medicolegal cases.

AIM

The present study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of anterior border parameters of the hip bone for prediction of sex using discriminant function analysis in South Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 206 dry bones were used (121 male and 85 female) and parameters like the distance between pubic tubercle and anterior rim of acetabulum, vertical acetabular diameter, transverse acetabular diameter, and the distance between pubic tubercle to highest point on the iliopubic eminence were measured using Vernier calipers. Normally distributed variables were compared using Students t-test to analyse the significance.

RESULTS

There was significant difference between the male and female hip bones of the observed variables with p-value less than 0.05. In parameters like the distance between pubic tubercle to anterior rim of acetabulum and distance between the highest points on iliopubic eminence to pubic tubercle; the values were more in female when compared to males. In parameters like vertical and transverse acetabular diameters; the values in males were more when compared to females.

CONCLUSION

These parameters of hip bone can be utilised for sex determination in South Indian population.