Complete tibial insertion of the biceps femoris tendon: an MRI-based study to assess the prevalence of this variant

Surg Radiol Anat. 2020 Jun;42(6):661-665. doi: 10.1007/s00276-019-02384-8. Epub 2019 Nov 28.

Abstract

Purpose: To quantify the prevalence of complete tibial insertion of the biceps femoris tendon in patients presenting for knee MRI scans.

Methods: Knee MRI scans over a 4-year period (2014-2018) were accessed at a tertiary referral centre and community-based private practice. A total of 433 scans were reviewed. 30 scans were excluded from the study due to repeat imaging or incomplete coverage of the biceps femoris tendon insertion. Appearances of the distal biceps tendon bony insertion were scrutinized on the remaining 403 scans. Each biceps femoris tendon insertion was classified into one of the four categories-complete fibular insertion, predominant fibular insertion, predominant tibial insertion and complete tibial insertion.

Results: Out of the final 403 scans included in the study, five cases of complete tibial insertion of the biceps femoris tendon were identified (just over 1% of the total population). 42 cases were identified as having predominant tibial insertion (10% of the total population). 113 cases had predominantly fibular insertion and 243 cases had complete fibular insertion.

Conclusion: Complete anomalous insertion of the biceps femoris tendon on the anterolateral tibia is an uncommon entity. Such an attachment is found in approximately 1% of patients presenting for MRI evaluation of the knee.

Keywords: Anatomical; Biceps; Femoris; Insertion; Variant.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anatomic Variation*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Hamstring Tendons / abnormalities*
  • Hamstring Tendons / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / abnormalities*
  • Knee Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tibia / abnormalities*
  • Tibia / diagnostic imaging
  • Young Adult