Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Feger J, Bone tunnel. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 19 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-88913
Bone tunnels, osseous or transosseous tunnels are cylindrical iatrogenic holes or channels in bone created by surgeons by drilling or reaming. They usually serve as a fixation site or introductory channel for surgical implants and/or devices 1-3.
Radiographic features
Approximately 6 weeks after creation new cortical bone formation can be observed lining the tunnel wall visible as a sclerotic rim 4.
Plain radiograph
On plain radiographs, bone tunnels appear as cylindrical lucencies in bone. Depending on their age they should show a sclerotic rim 4,5.
CT
On CT a bone tunnel appears as a cylindrical bone channel. The appearance of the interior is mostly dependant on the content and might be of soft tissue density or show an implant.
MRI
Similar to other modalities a bone tunnel shows a cylindrical appearance. As in other imaging modalities, the appearance of the interior is dependant on the content, if empty this is usually hypointense on T1 and hyperintense on T2.
A hypointense sclerotic rim usually forms and becomes visible about 6 weeks after creation 4.
Related pathology
Pathologies associated with the creation of bone tunnels include the following 5-7:
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1. Hayashi H, Kurosaka D, Saito M et al. Positioning the Femoral Bone Socket and the Tibial Bone Tunnel Using a Rectangular Retro-Dilator in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0215778. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0215778 - Pubmed
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2. van Duren B, Lebe M, Davies D, Pandit H, Somashekar N. Proof-Of-Concept Prototype Drill-Guide for Use in Medial Patello-Femoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction Surgery. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology. 2019;43(1):1-7. doi:10.1080/03091902.2019.1574925 - Pubmed
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3. Sutton K, Dodds S, Ahmad C, Sethi P. Surgical Treatment of Distal Biceps Rupture. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon. 2010;18(3):139-48. doi:10.5435/00124635-201003000-00003 - Pubmed
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4. Rupreht M, Vogrin M, Hussein M. MRI Evaluation of Tibial Tunnel Wall Cortical Bone Formation After Platelet-Rich Plasma Applied During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Radiology and Oncology. 2013;47(2):119-24. doi:10.2478/raon-2013-0009 - Pubmed
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5. Hirschmann Michael T. How to Evaluate Bone Tunnel Widening After ACL Reconstruction - a Critical Review. MLTJ. 2017;7(2):230. doi:10.11138/mltj/2017.7.2.230 - Pubmed
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6. Dyrna F, de Oliveira C, Nowak M et al. Risk of Fracture of the Acromion Depends on Size and Orientation of Acromial Bone Tunnels when Performing Acromioclavicular Reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017;26(1):275-84. doi:10.1007/s00167-017-4728-y - Pubmed
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7. Bodendorfer B, Kotler J, Thornley C, Postma W. Tibial Plateau Fracture Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with a Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Allograft. JBJS Case Connector. 2018;8(2):e34. doi:10.2106/jbjs.cc.17.00233 - Pubmed
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