BACKGROUND: The accuracy of measurement of curves in idiopathic scoliosis has been extensively studied; however, we know of only one article in the literature concerning the accuracy of measurement of curves in congenital scoliosis. That article stated that intraobserver variability was +/- 9.6 degrees and interobserver variability was +/- 11.8 degrees. METHODS: Sixty-nine curves in fifty patients with congenital scoliosis were measured on two separate occasions by seven different observers with varying experience in curve measurement. RESULTS: Mean intraobserver variance ranged from 1.9 degrees to 5.0 degrees, with an average of 2.8 degrees (95% confidence limit, +/- 3 degrees) for the seven observers. The interobserver variance was 3.35 degrees (95% confidence limit, 7.86 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to measure curves in congenital scoliosis with much greater accuracy than previously reported. In the clinical situation in which a skilled observer can measure two radiographs at the same time, an accuracy of +/- 3 degrees can be expected 95% of the time.
BACKGROUND: The accuracy of measurement of curves in idiopathic scoliosis has been extensively studied; however, we know of only one article in the literature concerning the accuracy of measurement of curves in congenital scoliosis. That article stated that intraobserver variability was +/- 9.6 degrees and interobserver variability was +/- 11.8 degrees. METHODS: Sixty-nine curves in fifty patients with congenital scoliosis were measured on two separate occasions by seven different observers with varying experience in curve measurement. RESULTS: Mean intraobserver variance ranged from 1.9 degrees to 5.0 degrees, with an average of 2.8 degrees (95% confidence limit, +/- 3 degrees) for the seven observers. The interobserver variance was 3.35 degrees (95% confidence limit, 7.86 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to measure curves in congenital scoliosis with much greater accuracy than previously reported. In the clinical situation in which a skilled observer can measure two radiographs at the same time, an accuracy of +/- 3 degrees can be expected 95% of the time.
Authors: Ryoji Tauchi; Taichi Tsuji; Patrick J Cahill; John M Flynn; John M Flynn; Michael Glotzbecker; Ron El-Hawary; John A Heflin; Shiro Imagama; Ajeya P Joshi; Ayato Nohara; Norman Ramirez; David P Roye; Toshiki Saito; Jeffrey R Sawyer; John T Smith; Noriaki Kawakami Journal: Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol Date: 2015-09-16
Authors: Charles E Mackel; Ajit Jada; Amer F Samdani; James H Stephen; James T Bennett; Ali A Baaj; Steven W Hwang Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2018-08-04 Impact factor: 1.475