title: INTER- AND INTRAOBSERVER AGREEMENT FOR DIAGNOSING PRESUMPTIVE ISCHEMIC MYELOPATHY AND ACUTE NONCOMPRESSIVE NUCLEUS PULPOSUS EXTRUSION IN DOGS USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING.
abstract: Ischemic myelopathy (IM) and acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE) are common spinal emergencies in dogs with similar clinical presentations. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for a presumptive antemortem diagnosis have been reported, however inter- and intraobserver agreement for use of these criteria has not been established. The aim of this retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was to describe inter- and intraobserver agreement for using previously published MRI criteria to diagnose presumptive IM and ANNPE in a sample dogs. Dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of IM or ANNPE and available MRI scan data were retrieved from medical record archives during the period of 2009 and 2013. A total of 127 dogs were identified. From this sample, MRI scans for 60 dogs were randomly selected and duplicated for intraobserver analysis, giving a total of 187 anonymized studies that were presented to two blinded assessors (one board-certified veterinary neurologist, one board-certified veterinary radiologist). Assessors were asked to diagnose lesions as IM or ANNPE based on previously published MRI characteristics. Interobserver agreement in diagnosing IM or ANNPE was moderate (Kappa = 0.56) and intraobserver agreement was moderate to good (Assessor 1 Kappa = 0.79, Assessor 2 Kappa = 0.47). Agreement was strongest for detecting presence of lesions overlying a vertebral body (94% of lesions that were diagnosed as IM) or overlying an intervertebral disk (85% of lesions that were diagnosed as ANNPE). Findings indicated that use of previously published MRI criteria yields moderate inter- and moderate to good intraobserver agreement for a presumptive diagnosis of IM or ANNPE in dogs.
authors: Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors: Joe
authors: J
authors: Fenn
authors: Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors: Randi
authors: R
authors: Drees
authors: Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors: Holger A
authors: HA
authors: Volk
authors: Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA, UK.
authors: Steven De
authors: SD
authors: Decker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: MRI; fibrocartilaginous embolism; high velocity low volume disk extrusion; traumatic disk extrusion