TY - JOUR
T1 - Oblique reformation in cervical spine computed tomography
T2 - A new look at an old friend
AU - Roberts, Catherine C.
AU - McDaniel, N. Troy
AU - Krupinski, Elizabeth A.
AU - Erly, William K.
PY - 2003/1/15
Y1 - 2003/1/15
N2 - Study Design. Cervical spine computed tomograms were evaluated for neural foraminal stenosis in both the standard axial plane and the oblique reformatted plane. Objective. To assess whether oblique reformation of cervical spine computed tomograms reduces interobserver variability in the evaluation of neural foraminal stenosis. Summary of Background Data. Radiographic assessment of neural foraminal stenosis is subjective, may vary among observers, and can affect surgical planning. Methods. The cervical spine images from 19 patients with various degrees of neural foraminal stenosis were reformatted in an oblique plane perpendicular to the long axis of the right and left neural foramens. Seven independent observers graded the degree of foraminal stenosis (none, mild [1-25%], moderate [26-75%], or severe [>75%]) and their confidence level (definite, probable, possible) on both the axial images and the oblique reformations. Results. The ages of the 12 male (mean, 67.5 ± 13.24 years) and 7 female (mean, 62.7 ± 14.79 years) patients ranged from 39 to 83 years. Interobserver variability was assessed with x2 analysis. Rates of agreement on degree of stenosis (x2 = 19.94; df = 9; P< 0.02) were significantly higher for oblique reformations. Confidence ratings also were significantly higher for oblique reformations (x2 = 18.19; df = 7; P < 0.02). Conclusions. Oblique reformation of cervical spine images significantly reduces the degree of interobserver variability and increases observer confidence in the assessment of neural foraminal stenosis. Oblique reformations should be considered in the routine evaluation of neural foraminal stenosis.
AB - Study Design. Cervical spine computed tomograms were evaluated for neural foraminal stenosis in both the standard axial plane and the oblique reformatted plane. Objective. To assess whether oblique reformation of cervical spine computed tomograms reduces interobserver variability in the evaluation of neural foraminal stenosis. Summary of Background Data. Radiographic assessment of neural foraminal stenosis is subjective, may vary among observers, and can affect surgical planning. Methods. The cervical spine images from 19 patients with various degrees of neural foraminal stenosis were reformatted in an oblique plane perpendicular to the long axis of the right and left neural foramens. Seven independent observers graded the degree of foraminal stenosis (none, mild [1-25%], moderate [26-75%], or severe [>75%]) and their confidence level (definite, probable, possible) on both the axial images and the oblique reformations. Results. The ages of the 12 male (mean, 67.5 ± 13.24 years) and 7 female (mean, 62.7 ± 14.79 years) patients ranged from 39 to 83 years. Interobserver variability was assessed with x2 analysis. Rates of agreement on degree of stenosis (x2 = 19.94; df = 9; P< 0.02) were significantly higher for oblique reformations. Confidence ratings also were significantly higher for oblique reformations (x2 = 18.19; df = 7; P < 0.02). Conclusions. Oblique reformation of cervical spine images significantly reduces the degree of interobserver variability and increases observer confidence in the assessment of neural foraminal stenosis. Oblique reformations should be considered in the routine evaluation of neural foraminal stenosis.
KW - Cervical spine
KW - Computed tomography
KW - Interobserver variability
KW - Neural foraminal stenosis
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U2 - 10.1097/00007632-200301150-00013
DO - 10.1097/00007632-200301150-00013
M3 - Article
C2 - 12544934
AN - SCOPUS:0037439149
SN - 0362-2436
VL - 28
SP - 167
EP - 170
JO - Spine
JF - Spine
IS - 2
ER -