title: Intra-and inter-reader reliability of semi-automated quantitative morphometry measurements and vertebral fracture assessment using lateral scout views from computed tomography.
abstract: Intra-and inter-reader reliability of semi-automated quantitative vertebral morphometry measurements was determined using lateral computed tomography (CT) scout views. The method requires less time than conventional morphometry. Reliability was excellent for vertebral height measurements, good for height ratios, and comparable to semi-quantitative grading by radiologists for identification of vertebral fractures.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Underdiagnosis and undertreatment of vertebral fracture (VFx) is a well-known problem worldwide. Thus, new methods are needed to facilitate identification of VFx. This study aimed to determine intra- and inter-reader reliability of semi-automated quantitative vertebral morphometry based on shape-based statistical modeling (SpineAnalyzer, Optasia Medical, Cheadle, UK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two non-radiologists independently assessed vertebral morphometry from CT lateral scout views at two time points in 96 subjects (50 men, 46 women, 70.3 ± 8.9 years) selected from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring and Third Generation Multi-Detector CT Study. VFxs were classified based solely on morphometry measurements using Genant's criteria. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), root mean squared coefficient of variation (RMS CV) and kappa (k) statistics were used to assess reliability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed 1,246 vertebrae in 96 subjects. The analysis time averaged 5.4 ± 1.7 min per subject (range, 3.2-9.1 min). Intra-and inter-reader ICCs for vertebral heights were excellent (>0.95) for all vertebral levels combined. Intra-and inter-reader RMS CV for height measurements ranged from 2.5% to 3.9% and 3.3% to 4.4%, respectively. Reliability of vertebral height ratios was good to fair. Based on morphometry measurements alone, readers A and B identified 51-52 and 46-59 subjects with at least one prevalent VFx, respectively, and there was a good intra-and inter-reader agreement (k = 0.59-0.69) for VFx identification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Semi-automated quantitative vertebral morphometry measurements from CT lateral scout views are convenient and reproducible, and may facilitate assessment of VFx.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. ymkim73@gmail.com
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demissie
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Samelson
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kiel
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bouxsein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*