Study on accuracy and interobserver reliability of the assessment of odontoid fracture union using plain radiographs or CT scans

被引:0
作者
Heiko Koller
Klaus Kolb
Juliane Zenner
Jeremy Reynolds
Marcel Dvorak
Frank Acosta
Rosemarie Forstner
Michael Mayer
Mark Tauber
Alexander Auffarth
Anton Kathrein
Wolfgang Hitzl
机构
[1] Paracelsus Medical University,Department for Traumatology and Sports Medicine
[2] Katharinenhospital,Department for Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery
[3] German Scoliosis Center Bad Wildungen,Department for Spine Surgery
[4] Werner-Wicker-Klinik,Department of Neurological Surgery
[5] Vancouver General Hospital,Institute for Radiodiagnostics
[6] University of California,Department for Traumatology and Spine Surgery
[7] Paracelsus Medical University,Research Office, Biostatistics
[8] District Hospital Zams,undefined
[9] Paracelsus Medical University,undefined
来源
European Spine Journal | 2009年 / 18卷
关键词
Odontoid fracture; Non-union; Interobserver reliability; Fusion; Assessment;
D O I
暂无
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
In odontoid fracture research, outcome can be evaluated based on validated questionnaires, based on functional outcome in terms of atlantoaxial and total neck rotation, and based on the treatment-related union rate. Data on clinical and functional outcome are still sparse. In contrast, there is abundant information on union rates, although, frequently the rates differ widely. Odontoid union is the most frequently assessed outcome parameter and therefore it is imperative to investigate the interobserver reliability of fusion assessment using radiographs compared to CT scans. Our objective was to identify the diagnostic accuracy of plain radiographs in detecting union and non-union after odontoid fractures and compare this to CT scans as the standard of reference. Complete sets of biplanar plain radiographs and CT scans of 21 patients treated for odontoid fractures were subjected to interobserver assessment of fusion. Image sets were presented to 18 international observers with a mean experience in fusion assessment of 10.7 years. Patients selected had complete radiographic follow-up at a mean of 63.3 ± 53 months. Mean age of the patients at follow-up was 68.2 years. We calculated interobserver agreement of the diagnostic assessment using radiographs compared to using CT scans, as well as the sensitivity and specificity of the radiographic assessment. Agreement on the fusion status using radiographs compared to CT scans ranged between 62 and 90% depending on the observer. Concerning the assessment of non-union and fusion, the mean specificity was 62% and mean sensitivity was 77%. Statistical analysis revealed an agreement of 80–100% in 48% of cases only, between the biplanar radiographs and the reconstructed CT scans. In 50% of patients assessed there was an agreement of less than 80%. The mean sensitivity and specificity values indicate that radiographs are not a reliable measure to indicate odontoid fracture union or non-union. Regarding experience in years of all observers taking part in the study, there were no significant differences for specificity (P = 0.88) or sensitivity (P = 0.26). Further analysis revealed that if a non-union was judged present by an observer then, on average, each observer changed decision regarding the presence of a ‘stable’ or ‘unstable non-union’ in 4.2 of all the 21 cases (range 0–8 changes per observer). We investigated the interobserver reliability of the assessment of fusion in odontoid fractures using biplanar radiographs compared to CT scans. A sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 62% for the radiographs resemble a substantial lack of agreement if different observers evaluate odontoid union. Biplanar radiographs are judged not a reliable measure to detect odontoid fracture union or non-union. The union rates of odontoid fractures have to be revisited and CT scans as the endpoint anchor in outcome studies of treatment related union rates are recommended.
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页码:1659 / 1668
页数:9
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