Quantitative 3D and 4D skeletal imaging
Skeletal imaging plays an increasingly important role in diagnosis, decision making and treatment of skeletal disorders. When skeletal imaging is used to quantify 3D geometric and kinematic (3D in motion) bone properties, we refer to quantitative skeletal imaging. Quantitative information helps us getting a better diagnosis, and provides more accurate treatment planning in the fields of orthopedics, traumatology and hand surgery.
Our group is devoted to research and development of novel CT-based methods for quantitative analysis of the skeletal system in general, with focus on surgical planning and kinematics of the wrist joint.
1. 4D-CT of the wrist joint
In a longstanding cooperation with the departments of Radiology, Plastic & Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, and Orthopedics of the AMC we develop, evaluate and clinically apply 4D-imaging for analysis of 3D motion patterns of the moving wrist. This novel technology adds dynamic information to the diagnosis, which facilitates decision making, treatment and post-operative evaluation of wrist disorders. Our approach focuses on using 4D images to quantify motion and to establish disorders in an objective fashion, mostly applied to the wrist. Divergent carpal kinematics can be observed by comparing motion patterns between an affected wrist and the patient’s contralateral side, or by presenting the joint space as a heat map on the dynamic wrist bones to visualize regions afflicted by osteoarthritis. 4D-CT is utilized in pre-clinical and clinical studies on early diagnosis of wrist trauma, evaluation of surgical procedures, and development of wrist implants.
Wrist joint kinematics
Heatmap representing dynamic distances
2. Planning of corrective surgery
As a second quantitative imaging application, we investigate and develop novel techniques for image-based preoperative planning of corrective osteotomy surgery, and intraoperative image analysis methods to perform this procedure in a minimally invasive way. A multitude of applications have emerged, such as using patient-specific osteosynthesis material, which snugly fit the patient’s bone anatomy while perfectly restoring anatomic bone alignment. Another example is achievement of perfect rotational alignment by calculating an oblique osteotomy plane and a single in-plane bone rotation. This procedure automatically finds the optimal cutting position to further optimize bone alignment. These sophisticated types of surgical planning have been implemented in software, developed in our group, and is continuously being extended for treatment planning of the upper and lower extremities.

Drill and cut guide

Reduction through temporary wedge

Fixation through standard plate and drilled holes
Optimization of an oblique osteotomy
Evaluating bone collision by simulation
3. Measurement of knee prosthesis loosening
Annually, more than 2.2 million people worldwide undergo Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) surgery to replace an osteoarthritic or severely damaged knee by an artificial knee joint. This knee replacement aims at removing pain, and recovering or enhancing the function of the knee. About 25% of patients return to the hospital with recurrent pain, which may be related to a aseptic loosening of the implant. In close collaboration with the Orthopedics department we have developed a noninvasive, image-based method, implemented in software called DisJoint, which allows us to determine whether or not a knee prosthesis is loose. With this method we aim to measure sub-millimeter displacements, and hence establish implant loosening in a noninvasive fashion. Research activities in this research line are devoted to optimization of image acquisition and image analysis methods and clinical evaluation in clinical trials.
Faculty


PhDs










Patient-specific scaphoid prosthesis: surgical technique
Honigmann, P., Oonk, J., Dobbe, J., Strackee, S., Streekstra, G. & Haefeli, M., 1 Dec 2025, In: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery. 145, 1, 55.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Quantitative evaluation of the effects of dual-energy CT acquisition, reconstruction and postprocessing parameters on virtual Non-Calcium (VNCa) images
Wellenberg, R. H. H., Ahmed, R., Müller, F. C., Boesen, M., Faby, S., Jürgens, M., Maas, M. & Streekstra, G. J., 1 Jan 2025, In: European journal of radiology. 182, 111818.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Scapholunate Kinematics After Combined Palmar and Dorsal Ligament Reconstruction: A Quantitative Evaluation Using Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography
Berkhout, M. J.-L., Dobbe, J. G. G., Wilmer, P. W. M., Streekstra, G. J. & Ritt, M. J. P. F., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of hand surgery.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Accuracy of intertrochanteric osteotomy for patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis operated with 3D printed patient-specific guides
van den Boorn, M., Dobbe, J. G. G., Lagerburg, V., Witbreuk, M. M. E. H. & Streekstra, G. J., 1 Dec 2024, In: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research. 19, 1, 768.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
An AI deep learning algorithm for detecting pulmonary nodules on ultra-low-dose CT in an emergency setting: a reader study
van den Berk, I. A. H., Jacobs, C., Kanglie, M. M. N. P., Mets, O. M., Snoeren, M., Montauban van Swijndregt, A. D., Taal, E. M., van Engelen, T. S. R., Prins, J. M., Bipat, S., Bossuyt, P. M. M., Stoker, J., Yahya, I., Vogel, M. J. A., de Vries, G., Taal, E. M. & The OPTIMACT study group, 1 Dec 2024, In: European Radiology Experimental. 8, 1, 132.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
A three-dimensional algorithm for precise measurement of human auricle parameters
Lin, Y., Dobbe, J. G. G., Lachkar, N., Ronde, E. M., Smit, T. H., Breugem, C. C. & Streekstra, G. J., Dec 2024, In: Scientific reports. 14, 1, p. 10760 10760.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Bilateral symmetry assessment of healthy forearm kinematics using 4D-CT
Oonk, J. G. M., Dobbe, J. G. G., van der Zeeuw, F. T., Ettema, L., Strijkers, G. J. & Streekstra, G. J., 1 Dec 2024, In: Journal of biomechanics. 177, 112417.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Complete absence of GLUT1 does not impair human terminal erythroid differentiation
Freire, C. M., King, N. R., Dzieciatkowska, M., Stephenson, D., Moura, P. L., Dobbe, J. G. G., Streekstra, G. J., D'Alessandro, A., Toye, A. M. & Satchwell, T. J., 8 Oct 2024, In: Blood. 8, 19, p. 5166-5178 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Minimal but potentially clinically relevant anteroinferior position of the humeral head following traumatic anterior shoulder dislocations: A 3D-CT analysis
Verweij, L. P. E., Dobbe, J. G. G., Kerkhoffs, G. M. M. J., Streekstra, G. J., van den Bekerom, M. P. J., Blankevoort, L. & van Deurzen, D. F. P., Aug 2024, In: Journal of orthopaedic research. 42, 8, p. 1641-1652 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Corrigendum to “Promising results of a non-invasive measurement of knee implant loosening using a loading device, CT-scans and 3D image analysis” [Clinical Biomechanics volume 104, 105930, April 2023, 105930] (Clinical Biomechanics (2023) 104, (S026800332300061X), (10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2023.105930))
Kievit, A. J., Buijs, G. S., Dobbe, J. G. G., Ter Wee, M. A., Kerkhoffs, G. M. M. J., Streekstra, G. J., Schafroth, M. U. & Blankevoort, L., Jun 2024, In: Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon). 116, p. 106283 106283.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/Letter to the editor › Academic
Non-invasive quantitative assessment of induced component displacement can safely and accurately diagnose tibial component loosening in patients: A prospective diagnostic study
Buijs, G. S., Kievit, A. J., Ter Wee, M. A., Magg, C., Dobbe, J. G. G., Streekstra, G. J., Schafroth, M. U. & Blankevoort, L., May 2024, In: Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy. 33, 1, p. 274-285 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Skin marker-based versus bone morphology-based coordinate systems of the hindfoot and forefoot
Hulshof, C. M., Schallig, W., van den Noort, J. C., Streekstra, G. J., Kleipool, R. P., GG Dobbe, J., Maas, M., Harlaar, J. & van der Krogt, M. M., 1 Mar 2024, In: Journal of biomechanics. 166, 112001.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Primary arthrodesis versus open reduction and internal fixation following intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a weight-bearing CT analysis
Baboeram, N. S. V. L., Sanders, F. R. K., Wellenberg, R. H. H., Dobbe, J. G. G., Streekstra, G. J., Maas, M. & Schepers, T., Feb 2024, In: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Towards automation in non-invasive measurement of knee implant displacement
Magg, C., ter Wee, M. A., Buijs, G. S., Kievit, A. J., Krap, D. A., Dobbe, J. G. G., Streekstra, G. J., Blankevoort, L. & Sánchez, C. I., 2024, Medical Imaging 2024: Computer-Aided Diagnosis. Chen, W. & Astley, S. M. (eds.). SPIE, Vol. 12927. 129270R. (Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE; vol. 12927).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review
Performance of the Aptis distal radioulnar joint implant: kinematic and geometric analysis
Oonk, J. G. M., Stougie, S. D., Dobbe, J. G. G., Ritt, M. J. P. F., Coert, J. H. & Streekstra, G. J., 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Hand Surgery: European Volume.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Sub-calcaneal plantar fat pad assessment using dual-energy computed tomography: First experience in the diabetic foot
Mens, M. A., Fassaert, T. F., Homan, J. H., Busch-Westbroek, T. E., Stufkens, S. A. S., Wellenberg, R. H. H., Streekstra, G. J., Bus, S. A., Nieuwdorp, M. & Maas, M., 1 Dec 2023, In: Clinical Biomechanics. 110, 106126.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Load-induced deformation of the tibia and its effect on implant loosening detection
ter Wee, M. A., Dobbe, J. G. G., Buijs, G. S., Kievit, A. J., Schafroth, M. U., Maas, M., Blankevoort, L. & Streekstra, G. J., 1 Dec 2023, In: Scientific reports. 13, 1, 21769.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Quantification of the methodological error in kinematic evaluation of the DRUJ using dynamic CT
Oonk, J. G. M., Dobbe, J. G. G., Strackee, S. D., Strijkers, G. J. & Streekstra, G. J., 1 Dec 2023, In: Scientific reports. 13, 1, 3159.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joint angle measurements on weight-bearing CT images
Mens, M. A., Bouman, C. M. B., Dobbe, J. G. G., Bus, S. A., Nieuwdorp, M., Maas, M., Wellenberg, R. H. H. & Streekstra, G. J., Oct 2023, In: Foot and ankle surgery. 29, 7, p. 538-543 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Performance of the Aptis Distal Radioulnar Joint Implant: A Clinical Case Series Including Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography Kinematic Analysis
Stougie, S. D., van Doesburg, M. H. M., Oonk, J. G. M., Plugge, L., Streekstra, G. J., Dobbe, J. G. G. & Coert, J. H., 1 Sept 2023, In: Journal of clinical medicine. 12, 18, 5815.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review