Ivan Levaj

Dr. Ivan Levaj


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 January 2022 in Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
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Journal Article
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ILIvan Levaj
Ivan Levaj
DDDamjan Dimnjakovic
Damjan Dimnjakovic
IBIvan Bojanic
Ivan Bojanic
Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare and benign proliferative lesion affecting synovial lining of joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. Depending on the extent of synovial involvement, two forms are distinguished, diffuse, and localized. Intra-articular localized form of PVNS (LPVNS) presents as a nodular, well circumscribed, pedunculated, or sessile soft-tissue mass. We report a case of an unusual localization of LPVNS in posterior ankle recess in a 42-year-old male with concomitant anterior ankle impingement syndrome. To address both the posterior and the anterior ankle disorders the patient was treated with combined two-portal endoscopic hindfoot approach and anterior ankle arthroscopy within the same operative session. The hindfoot endoscopy encompassed complete removal of the localized mass, partial synovectomy of the area at the base of the lesion, removal of os trigonum, and a loose body impinged in the interval between tibia and fibula. The anterior ankle arthroscopy included removal of the osteophytes from the anterior distal tibia and dorsal talus. Patient continued his normal daily and sporting activities without any restrictions and no recurrence of LPVNS 2 years after the surgery. PVNS is an important clinical entity that should always be thought of as a differential diagnosis when treating patients with ankle disorders. Hindfoot endoscopy, when performed by an experienced ankle surgeon, is a safe and effective procedure for LPVNS of the posterior ankle recess, when deemed amenable to complete resection.

17 February 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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DNDinko Nizić
Dinko Nizić
MŠMarko Šimunović
Marko Šimunović
JSJure Serdar
Jure Serdar
Josip VlaicJosip Vlaic
Josip Vlaic
MJMario Josipović
Mario Josipović
MJMislav Jelić
Mislav Jelić
Background and Objectives: It is unknown whether the tibial tuberosity–tibial intercondylar midpoint (TT–TIM) distance can be interchangeably measured on axial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The objective of this retrospective cross-sectional comparative study was to evaluate the intermethod agreement of the TT–TIM distance on axial CT and MRI and its bias towards tibial rotation (TR), age, sex, and body side. Materials and Methods: On axial CT and MRI of 15 consecutive knee pairs where each pair belonged to the same patient with no pathology affecting the tibial circumference and tibial tuberosity, TT–TIM distance and TR were measured by two blinded radiologists at 2-week intervals. Upon checking the symmetry of distributions (Shapiro–Wilk test), differences between matched knee pairs (Wilcoxon signed-rank test), intermethod (Bland–Altman plot) and interrater agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), and correlations (Spearman rank correlation) were assessed. Results: The mean intermethod difference in TT–TIM distance was not statistically significant (−0.4 mm [−1.82, 0.96]; p = 0.52). The TT–TIM distance did not differ between knee pairs (p = 0.68), its interrater agreement was almost perfect (ICC > 0.81), and no bias towards TR (p > 0.66), age (p > 0.14), sex (p = 0.66), and body side (p > 0.37) was found. Conclusions: The TT–TIM distance can be interchangeably measured on axial CT and MRI with almost perfect interrater agreement, unbiased towards TR, age, sex, and body side.

5 November 2026 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
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Journal Article
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ILIvan Levaj
Ivan Levaj
IBIvan Bojanić
Ivan Bojanić
Ana PilipovićAna Pilipović
Ana Pilipović
Jan HomolakJan Homolak
Jan Homolak
DNDinko Nizić
Dinko Nizić
MJMario Josipović
Mario Josipović
Background/Objectives: To compare the morphological and biomechanical properties of a quadrupled gracilis (4GR) graft with two standard hamstring grafts for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: a quadrupled semitendinosus (4ST) graft and a doubled semitendinosus–gracilis (2ST2GR) graft. Methods: Tendon specimens were obtained from 30 cadaveric donors (mean age, 42.6 years; range, 21–56 years). Tendon and graft dimensions were measured before biomechanical testing. Grafts underwent standardized preconditioning followed by load-to-failure testing at a displacement rate of 20 mm/min. Differences between graft types were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed-effects model, with results expressed as estimated marginal means with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The mean 4GR graft length was 64.7 (95% CI, 61.6–67.8) mm, with 80% exceeding 60 mm. Graft diameter was greatest in the 4ST group, intermediate in the 2ST2GR group, and smallest in the 4GR group (7.98 [95% CI, 7.67–8.29], 7.41 [95% CI, 7.12–7.70], and 6.12 [95% CI, 5.89–6.36] mm, respectively). The 4ST graft demonstrated significantly greater maximum force than both the 4GR and 2ST2GR grafts, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 4GR and 2ST2GR grafts. In contrast, tensile strength was significantly higher in the 4GR grafts than in both the 4ST and 2ST2GR grafts. Stiffness was significantly higher in the 4ST grafts than in the 4GR grafts, whereas Young’s modulus was significantly higher in the 4GR grafts than in the 4ST grafts. Conclusions: The 4GR graft provided sufficient length for all-inside ACL reconstruction in most specimens. Despite its smaller diameter and lower absolute load-bearing capacity than 4ST, the 4GR graft demonstrated higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus, indicating favorable intrinsic mechanical properties. These findings may help inform graft selection in selected reconstructive procedures.

26 December 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DNDinko Nizić
Dinko Nizić
MŠMarko Šimunović
Marko Šimunović
MJMario Josipović
Mario Josipović
Josip VlaicJosip Vlaic
Josip Vlaic
ILIvan Levaj
Ivan Levaj
MJMislav Jelić
Mislav Jelić
Background and Objectives: To validate a computed tomography (CT) measure of tendon yaw (TY) and determine its diagnostic specificity, precision, and clinical relevance in recurrent patellar instability (RPI) in comparison with standard imaging tests (SIT1, SIT2), femoral trochlear dysplasia (FTD), and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) morphology. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 113 subjects (187 knees) examined using a standardized CT protocol for RPI following strict exclusion criteria. TY, SIT1, and SIT2 were measured using predefined axial landmarks. VMO cross-sectional area was assessed at three standardized levels. Diagnostic performance, measurement precision, and interrater agreement were evaluated. Results: TY significantly distinguished recurrent dislocators from nondislocators (p = 0.003) and was independent of age, sex, laterality, and femoral, tibial, or knee rotation (p ≥ 0.42). A threshold of ≥22° demonstrated high diagnostic specificity (92%; 95% CI, 85–97%), with a normal cutoff defined as ≤12°. Measurement precision was approximately 90%. SIT1 and SIT2 were influenced by femoral and knee rotation but not tibial rotation. All imaging tests were associated with FTD (p < 0.0001). No significant correlation was found between any imaging test and VMO area, although VMO was reduced in recurrent dislocators and in women. Conclusions: TY is a direct and highly specific CT measure of extensor mechanism yaw (z-axis rotation) that avoids indirect osseous and soft-tissue surrogates, supporting confirmatory diagnostic assessment and preoperative planning in RPI.