Computer-assisted measurement of lumbar spine radiographs.
OBJECTIVE
The authors evaluated a method for obtaining reproducible, reliable measurements from standard lumbar spine radiographs for determining the degree of spondylolisthesis, vertebral body height, intervertebral disk space height, disk space angle, and degree of vertebral body wedging.


METHODS
Four to six easily defined points were identified on each vertebral body on anteroposterior and lateral plain radiographs of the lumbosacral spine of patients. From these points, the degree of spondylolisthesis, the vertebral body height, the intervertebral disk space height, the disk space angle, and the degree of vertebral body wedging were easily calculated by using well-known geometric relationships. This method requires the use of a personal computer and a standard spreadsheet program but does not require the use of any other specialized radiographic equipment, computer hardware, or custom software.


RESULTS
Calculations of intra- and interobserver variability for the measurement of spondylolisthesis, disk space height, disk space angle, and vertebral body height measurement showed that the technique is extremely reproducible.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique may prove useful in the prospective evaluation of potential candidates for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery.
Quint
D J
DJ
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor 48109-0030, USA.
Tuite
G F
GF
Stern
J D
JD
Doran
S E
SE
Papadopoulos
S M
SM
McGillicuddy
J E
JE
Lundquist
C A
CA
D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008838:Microcomputers; D015588:Observer Variation; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012984:Software; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery