title: Computed tomography for the detection of thumb base osteoarthritis: comparison with digital radiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare computed tomography (CT) with digital radiography for the detection of osteoarthritis (OA) of the first carpometacarpal (CMC1) and scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively identified patients who were assessed for CMC1 OA or STT OA at our hand surgery outpatient clinic between January 2008 and March 2011, and who had both a digital radiograph and a CT scan of the hand within a 3-month period. CT and radiographic images were scored independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists for joint space narrowing (JSN), osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, bone cysts, and erosions in the CMC1 and STT joints.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty patients were identified. The inter-reader reliability of CT for the detection of CMC1 OA (ICC 1.00) and STT OA (ICC 0.80) was higher than radiography (ICC's 0.15 and 0.45). In comparison with their own radiographical scoring, both readers detected with CT 3 more patients with CMC1 OA, and 13 and 5 more patients with STT OA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computed tomography had a higher inter-reader reliability and detection rate for both CMC1 and STT OA, compared with radiography. As surgical treatment selection of thumb base OA depends on the presence of pathology in the CMC1 and STT joints, CT may improve treatment selection and surgical planning.
authors: Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.saltzherr@erasmusmc.nl
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Saltzherr
authors: Johan W
authors: JW
authors: van Neck
authors: Galied S R
authors: GS
authors: Muradin
authors: Rody
authors: R
authors: Ouwendijk
authors: Jolanda J
authors: JJ
authors: Luime
authors: J Henk
authors: JH
authors: Coert
authors: Steven E R
authors: SE
authors: Hovius
authors: Ruud W
authors: RW
authors: Selles
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013933:Thumb / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*