Abstract
We studied intraobserver reproducibility in recognizing the presence or absence of 57 histologic feature or patterns in a random subset of tumors (822) from the Childhood Brain Tumor Consortium database. The study protocol maximized consistency of the observer. We found that only six histologic features had high (> or = 0.75) reliability estimates while a large number had intermediate estimates of 0.50-0.74. Supratentorial or infratentorial tumor location sometimes altered reliability. Reliability estimates were unacceptable for certain histologic features often used as diagnostic criteria, descriptors of tumor characteristics, or markers of anaplasia. We hypothesize that low reliability reflects, in part, the need for more specific operational definitions, particularly those with subjective boundaries (e.g. granular bodies) may also contribute to low reliability. We also show that the kappa statistic, a commonly used measure of reliability, is inappropriate for very common or uncommon histologic features (e.g. features at the extremes of prevalence in the study cases) and we offer a simple empiric method for determining when an alternative measure, the Jaccard statistic, is appropriate.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology
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.
