Reliability analysis of radiographic methods for determination of posterolateral lumbossacral fusion / Análise da confiabilidade de métodos radiográficos para avaliação da artrodese posterolateral lombossacra

Objective To analyze intra and interobserver agreement of two radiographic methods for evaluation of posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis. Methods Twenty patients undergoing instrumented posterolateral fusion were evaluated by anteroposterior and dynamic lateral radiographs in maximal flexion and extension. The images were evaluated initially by 6 orthopedic surgeons, and after 8 weeks, reassessed by 4 of them, totaling 400 radiographic measurements. Intra and interobserver reliability were analyzed using the Kappa coefficient and Landis and Koch criteria. Results Intra and interobserver agreement regarding anteroposterior radiographs were, respectively, 76 and 63%. On lateral views, these values were 78 and 84%, respectively. However, the Kappa analysis showed poor intra and interobserver agreement in most cases, regardless of the radiographic method used. Conclusion There was poor intra and interobserver agreement in the evaluation of lumbosacral fusion by plain film in anteroposterior and dynamic lateral views, with no statistical superiority between the methods. .

Objetivo Analisar a concordância intra e interobservador de dois métodos radiográficos para avaliação da artrodese lombar posterolateral. Métodos Foram submetidos à fusão posterolateral instrumentada 20 pacientes, avaliados por meio de radiografias anteroposteriores e laterais, em flexão e extensão máximas. As imagens foram avaliadas inicialmente por 6 médicos ortopedistas e, após 8 semanas, reavaliadas por 4 deles, totalizando 400 mensurações radiográficas. Foi realizada análise de confiabilidade intra e interobservador por meio do coeficiente Kappa e pelos critérios de Landis e Koch. Resultados A porcentagem de concordância intra e interobservadores para radiografias anteroposteriores foi, respectivamente, 76 e 63%. Na incidência radiográfica lateral, esses valores foram de 78 e 84%, respectivamente. Entretanto, a análise pelo método de Kappa mostrou concordância fraca e ruim intra e interobservadores para a maior parte dos casos, independentemente do método radiográfico utilizado. Conclusão observou-se fraca concordância intra e interobservadores na avaliação da fusão lombossacra por meio de radiografias simples, nas incidências anteroposterior e laterais dinâmicas, não havendo superioridade estatística entre os métodos estudados. .

A comparative study of different sensitivity in full length spine digital radiography / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To explore the value of high sensitivity total spine digital radiography in radiation protection and clinical application.Methods A total of 90 patients suffering from scoliosis were randomly divided into three groups with different sensitivity such as S200,S400 and S800.All of them were examined with anterior-posterior and lateral full length spine digital radiography.The S400 group was designated as control group.The doses (mGy) and exposures (mAs) resulted from different groups were calculated and compared,including their means and deviations.Image quality was evaluated with blind method.Results In the S800 group,the doses and exposures were about 43％ and 41％ compared to the S400 group.The differences were statistically significant (t =4.573,8.038,P ＜ 0.05).Doses and exposures in the S200 group were about 187％ and 178％ compared to the control group.The differences were also significant(t =-5.624,-4.052,P ＜ 0.05).In the S200 and S400 group,image quality of anterior-posterior and lateral position was 100％ good.When sensitivity was S800 was selected,image quality of the anterior-posterior position was 100％ good,and 97％ for lateral images.One lateral image was considered noisy.Conclusions In full length spine radiography,high sensitivity (S800) could greatly reduce radiation dose to patients.It is a good choice to use the sensitivity to observe wide-range spine.

A Case of Dialysis-related Amyloidosis of the Hip and Cervical Spine: Imaging Findings

Dialysis-related amyloidosis is a complication of long-term hemodialysis and it is characterized by the accumulation of beta2-microglobulin in the osteoarticular structures. We describe here the imaging findings of a case of dialysis-related amyloidosis involving the hip and cervical spine in a 62-year-old woman who received long-term dialysis. We focus here on the CT and MR imaging findings of the cervical spine and we include a review of the relevant literatures.

Bone Resorption Around Pedicle Screws After Pedicle Screw Plate Fixation

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency, level, distribution, onset, and pattern of progression of bone resorption that occurring around pedicle screws after pedicle screw plate fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone resorption around 902 pedicle screws was analyzed in post-operative, and follow-up radiographs obtained from 156 patients who underwent pedicle screw plate fixation. To determine the resorption degree, categorized arbitrarily as grade 1 (less than 1 mm), grade 2 (1 mm or more, but less than 2 mm), or grade 3 (2 mm or more), the width of radiolucent zones was measured. In 39 patients in whom resorption was graded 1, 2, or 3, the pattern of progression of 78 screws was evaluated. RESUTLS: Resorption occurred around 78 (8.6%) screws in 39 (25%) patients, 26 of whom had more than one lesion. For 99% of screws, there was evidance of resorption within 12 weeks of pedicle screw plate fixation. During follow-up, 61.5% of screws (48/78) remained stable, while 38.5% (30 screws) showed progression to higher grades. The possibility of progression to a higher grade is less when the initial grade is lower. CONCLUSION: An understanding of the radiographic patterns of bone resorption is useful for monitoring a patient after pedicle screw plate fixation.

Congenital Anomalies of the Spine: Radiologic Findings

Congenital anomalies of the spine are frequent and variable. Some are restricted to skeletal structures, while others involve combined neural tube defects or are associated with other multi-systemic disorders. Structural spinal anomalies can be classified according to their location: 1) the vertebral body, 2) the articular process, 3) the lamina with spinous process, 4) the pars interarticularis, 5) the facet joint, 6) the pedicle, or 7) other. Because of similarities between these congenital anomalies and (a) secondary changes involving infection or joint disease and (b) deformities resulting from trauma and uncertain tumorous conditions, significant confusion can occur during diagnosis. Moreover, since the anomalies often give rise to both functional impairment and cosmetic problems, appropriate treatment relies crucially on accurate diagnosis. The authors illustrate the pathogenesis and radiologic findings of the relatively common spinal anomalies confined to skeletal structures.

Hip and Pelvis Diseases on Lumbar AP Radiographs Including Both Hip Joints

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of diseases of the hip and pelvis, as seen of plain radiography of the lumbar spine in patients with suspicious lumbar disease, and to evaluate the methods used for lumbar spine radiography in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHDOS: Sixty university and training hospitals were randomly selected and asked to describe the projections, film size and radiographic techniques employed for routine radiography in patients with suspected disease of the lumbar spine. Plain radiographs of 1252 patients, taken using 14"x17"film and depicting both hip joints and the lumbar region, were analysed between March 1999 and February 2000. RESULTS: In 15 patients (1.2%), the radiographs revealed hip or pelvic lesions, confirmed as follows: avascular necrosis of the femoral head (n=11, with bilateral lesions in four cases); sustained ankylosing spondylitis (n=2); acetabular dysplasia (n=1); and insufficiency fracture of the pubic rami secondary to osteoporosis (n=1). In 11 of the 20 hospitals which responded, 14"x17"film was being used for lumbar radiography, while in the other nine, film size was smaller. CONCLUSION: Plain radiography of the lumbar spine including both hip joints, may be a useful way to simultaneously evaluate lesions not only of the lumbar spine but also of the hip and/or pelvis.

Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disease: Effect on Bone Mineral Density Measurements in the Lumbar Spine and Femoral Neck

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of degenerative disease of the lumbar spine on bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed radiographs and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans of the lumbar spine and hip in 305 Caucasian women with suspected osteoporosis. One hundred and eighty-six patients remained after excluding women less than 40 years of age (n = 18) and those with hip osteoarthritis, scoliosis, lumbar spine fractures, lumbar spinal instrumentation, hip arthroplasty, metabolic bone disease other than osteoporosis, or medications known to influence bone metabolism (n = 101). On the basis of lumbar spine radiographs, those with absent/mild degenerative disease were assigned to the control group and those with moderate/severe degenerative disease to the degenerative group. Spine radiographs were evaluated for degenerative disease by two radiologists working independently; discrepant evaluations were resolved by consensus. Lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Forty-five (24%) of 186 women were assigned to the degenerative group and 141 (76%) to the control group. In the degenerative group, mean bone mineral density measured 1.075 g/cm in the spine and 0.788 g/cm in the femoral neck, while for controls the corresponding figures were 0.989 g/cm and 0.765 g/cm Adjusted for age, weight and height by means of analysis of variance, degenerative disease of the lumbar spine was a significant predictor of increased bone mineral density in the spine (p = 0.0001) and femoral neck (p = 0.0287). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a positive relationship between degenerative disease of the lumbar spine and bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and suggest that degenerative disease in that region, which leads to an intrinsic increase in bone mineral density in the femoral neck, may be a good negative predictor of osteoporotic hip fractures.

Unilateral and Bilateral Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae: Comparison of the Incidence of Combined Diseases

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic findings of lumbosacral transitional verte-brae (LSTV), as seen on plain radiographs and MRI, and to compare the incidence of combined diseases be-tween unilateral and bilateral groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We retrospectively evaluated the plain radiographs and MR images of 63 patients with LSTV, classifying its type according to Castellvi 's criteria, and evaluated disc herniations, facet joint os-teoarthritic change, scoliosis, and spondylolisthesis. We then compared the incidence of each combined diseases between unilateral and bilateral groups, and as a control group, 63 patients without LSTV were also eval-uated. RESULTS: Forty of 63 cases of LSTV (63.5%) were bilateral, and 23 (36.5%) unilateral. According to Castellvi 's criteria, the incidence of type I was 41.3% (unilateral 7 cases, bilateral 19), type III30.2% (unilateral 8 cases, bilateral 11), type II23.8% (unilateral 8 cases, bilateral 7), and type IV 4.8% (unilateral 0 cases, bilateral 3).With combined diseases, the incidence of disc herniation was 66.7% (unilateral 15 cases, bilateral 27), moderate to severe facet joint osteoarthritic change 28.6% (unilateral 11 cases, bilateral 7), scoliosis 27.0% (unilateral 9 cases, bilateral 8), and spondylolisthesis 9.5% (unilateral 2 cases, bilateral 4). The incidence of facet joint os-teoarthritic change was significantly higher in the unilateral group (47.8%) than in the bilateral group (17.5%) (p=0.02), and scoliosis occurred at a higher rate in the unilateral group (39.1%) than in the bilateral group (20.0%) (p=0.18). There was, however, no significant difference in the incidence of disc herniation and spondylolisthesis between the two groups (unilateral group: 65.2% and 8.7%; bilateral group: 67.5% and 10.0%, respectively). CONCLUSION: With LSTV, the incidence of facet joint osteoarthritic change was significantly higher in the unilat-eral group than in the bilateral group, and scoliosis also showed a higher rate of occurrence in the unilateral group.

Acute Traumatic Spinal Fracture: Comparison between Plain

PURPOSE: To reassess the diagnostic value of plain radiographs, compared with computed tomography, in thediagnosis of acute traumatic spinal fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients (total 64 cases) withacute traumatic spinal fracture were studied using plain radiographs and computed tomography. Fracture site andtype (according to the three-column theory), classification as major or minor injury, stability of fracture, andthe presence of associated soft tissue change were evaluated on plain radiographs and CT. The results of the twoimaging techniques were compared. RESULTS: Excluding eight cases of C1 and C2 fractures, 41 cases involvedfractures of the vertebral body, and 15 involved only the posterior column. Plain radiographs and CT showed,respectively, 27 and 25 cases of simple compression fracture, 13 and 16 of bursting fracture. One case ofcompression fracture was not detected on plain radiographs. The results of classification as major (43/56) orminor (13/56) injury were equivalent on plain and CT films. For the evalvation of unstable fracture, plainradiographs were superior to CT(stable fracture, 46/64; unstable fracture, 18/64), while for the evaluation ofsoft tissue change, CT was better than plain radiographs. CONCLUSION: If correct procedures are meticulouslyadhered to, plain radiographs of acute traumatic spinal injury provide good information for the diagnosis oftraumatic fracture.