Abstract
Measurement reliability study of adult spinal deformity (ASD) patient radiographs using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and variance. The aim of the study was to compare picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to dedicated spine measurement software (SMS). Accurate radiographic measurement of sagittal alignment is essential for evaluating ASD. PACS measurements often necessitate rudimentary techniques and estimations of anatomic landmarks and angles. Though SMS has been studied and validated, no studies directly compare PACS to SMS. Eleven independent observers (7 spine surgeons, 4 researchers) digitally measured 20 ASD radiographs for pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL), PI-LL, thoracic kyphosis (TK), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Round 1 used PACS basic line/angle tools; Round 2 used a validated SMS that automatically calculates spino-pelvic parameters from 6 user-identified landmarks. Means, coefficient of variance (CV), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were analyzed. PACS measurements were significantly greater than SMS (PI, PT, PI-LL: P < 0.0001), though within clinical and measurement margins of error. Excluding TK, the variations in measurement (CV) were significantly greater for PACS (14-34%) vs. SMS (11-23%). Reliability was greater in SMS than PACS for PI, PT, PI-LL, LL, and SVA. The greatest differences in intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) between PACS and SMS were in PI (PACS: 0.647; SMS: 0.810) and PI-LL (PACS: 0.921; SMS: 0.970). Among surgeons, the differences between PACS and SMS were augmented, and SMS had higher intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) than PACS for all parameters (mean intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC] 0.931 vs. 0.861). Among surgeons, PI had the lowest reliability ( 0.505; SMS: 0.752) and SVA had the highest ( 0.985; SMS: 0.994). SMS provides significantly more reliable measurements than PACS, especially among surgeons. Consistent use of SMS in the evaluation and surgical planning of ASD patients appears necessary given the significant differences in values, variance, and reliability between PACS and SMS.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.