The evaluation of a new digital semi-automated system for the radiological assessment of distal radial fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To compare intra- and inter-observer variation for measurements of wrist deformity using a manual method of measurement and a semi-automated digital system developed in our department.


METHODS
Four observers measured radial angle, radial shift, radial length, palmar tilt, and dorsal shift on ten wrist-fracture films using a standardised protocol. Each observer made measurements directly from the radiograph on three occasions, and on a further three occasions digitised images were viewed and measurements made with semi-automated on-screen measurement tools.


RESULTS
Manual measurements took 12 min per case compared with 3 min for the digital system. The digital system resulted in improved intra-observer variation for all measurements and an improvement in inter-observer variation for all measurements except posterior tilt.


CONCLUSIONS
The new system allows greater precision in assessing fracture reduction and follow-up. Its principal application is in studies that utilise the wrist as a model for fracture healing.
Grainger
A J
AJ
Department of Radiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK. andrew.grainger@leedsth.nhs.uk
Duryea
J
J
Elliott
J M
JM
Genant
H K
HK
D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D015588:Observer Variation; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging