Characterization of alar ligament on 3.0T MRI: a cross-sectional study in IIUM Medical Centre, Kuantan

• Main Authors: Haroon, Raihanah, Che Mohamed, Siti Kamariah, Abd. Aziz, Karimah Hanim
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: RD701 Orthopedics
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/97109/7/AOCR2021_Certificate_E_Poster_NR692.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/97109/8/AOCR_2021_Abstract_book.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/97109/9/97109_Characterization%20of%20alar%20ligament%20on%203.0T%20MRI.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/97109/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of the study is to compare the normal anatomy of alar ligament on MRI between male and female. The specific objectives are to assess the prevalence of alar ligament visualized on MRI, to describe its characteristics in term of its course, shape and signal homogeneity and to find differences in alar ligament signal intensity between male and female. This study also aims to determine the association between the heights of respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and dimensions. MATERIALS & METHODS: 50 healthy volunteers were studied on 3.0T MR scanner Siemens Magnetom Spectra using 2-mm proton density, T2 and fat-suppression sequences. Alar ligament is depicted in 3 planes and the visualization and variability of the ligament courses, shapes and signal intensity characteristics were determined. The alar ligament dimensions were also measured. RESULTS: Alar ligament was best depicted in coronal plane, followed by sagittal and axial planes. The orientations were laterally ascending in most of the subjects (60%), predominantly oval in shaped (54%) and 67% showed inhomogenous signal. No significant difference of alar ligament signal intensity between male and female respondents. No significant association was found between the heights of the respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and dimensions. CONCLUSION: Employing a 3.0T MR scanner, the alar ligament is best portrayed on coronal plane, followed by sagittal and axial planes. However, tremendous variability of alar ligament as depicted in our data shows that caution needs to be exercised when evaluating alar ligament, especially during circumstances of injury.