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Measurement imprecision in vertebral morphometry of spinal radiographs obtained in the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study: consequences for the identification of prevalent and incident deformities.
- Source :
-
The British journal of radiology [Br J Radiol] 1999 Oct; Vol. 72 (862), pp. 957-66. - Publication Year :
- 1999
-
Abstract
- Several algorithms are currently in use for evaluating vertebral deformities from plain lateral radiographs of the lumbar and thoracic spine. However, the effects of measurement imprecision as well as uncertainties over image magnification on the correct identification of prevalent and incident vertebral deformities with these algorithms has been little studied. In a pilot study for the European Prospective Osteoporosis Study (EPOS), plain radiographs were submitted to a single central evaluating centre for measurement of vertebral height from T4 to L4. The thoracic and lumbar spines were imaged on separate films, and we have assessed the precision of measurement of vertebral heights and height ratios. The standard deviation of the differences between films of each of three height measurements ranged from 1.1 to 1.2 mm. A two-stage strategy for identifying incident deformities was devised. This required that the vertebra be a prevalent deformity at the time of the second radiograph and also that at least one of the vertebral ratios should have changed significantly since the first radiograph. The second stage removed all but two of the 18 vertebrae flagged positive in the first stage but not considered to be certain incident fractures by clinical reading of the radiographs.
- Subjects :
- Aged
Europe epidemiology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Incidence
Lumbar Vertebrae pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Osteoporosis epidemiology
Osteoporosis pathology
Pilot Projects
Prevalence
Prospective Studies
Radiography
Reproducibility of Results
Spinal Diseases epidemiology
Spinal Diseases pathology
Thoracic Vertebrae pathology
Lumbar Vertebrae diagnostic imaging
Osteoporosis diagnostic imaging
Spinal Diseases diagnostic imaging
Thoracic Vertebrae diagnostic imaging
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0007-1285
- Volume :
- 72
- Issue :
- 862
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The British journal of radiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10673947
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.72.862.10673947