Joseph B Myers1, Sakiko Oyama, John P Clarke. 1. University of North Carolina, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8700, USA. joemyers@unc.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Recently, clinicians and researchers started using diagnostic ultrasound to measure humeral torsion as an alternative to radiological assessments in overhead-throwing athletes and other clinical populations. Ultrasound appears to be a reliable, nonradiological alternative, but ultrasound assessment has not been validated against computed tomography (CT), the current gold standard. PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish the validity of an ultrasound assessment of humeral torsion by comparing data obtained using both ultrasound and CT, the current standard. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Humeral torsion was measured using both ultrasound and CT in 24 collegiate-aged baseball players. Comparisons between the assessments were made using both regression and Bland-Altman plots. Reliability and precision were also established. RESULTS: A strong relationship existed between humeral torsion variables obtained with ultrasound and CT (R = .797, R (2) = .635, P < .001). The ultrasound assessment yielded reliability coefficients ranging from .991 to .997, with approximately 1° of measurement error. The CT method's reliability coefficients ranged from .805 to .933, with approximately 3.5° of measurement error. CONCLUSION: There was a strong relationship between humeral torsion obtained with ultrasound and CT, the current standard of assessment. Ultrasound provides a reliable, valid alternative to CT for obtaining an indication of the amount of humeral torsion in the upper extremity.
BACKGROUND: Recently, clinicians and researchers started using diagnostic ultrasound to measure humeral torsion as an alternative to radiological assessments in overhead-throwing athletes and other clinical populations. Ultrasound appears to be a reliable, nonradiological alternative, but ultrasound assessment has not been validated against computed tomography (CT), the current gold standard. PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish the validity of an ultrasound assessment of humeral torsion by comparing data obtained using both ultrasound and CT, the current standard. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Humeral torsion was measured using both ultrasound and CT in 24 collegiate-aged baseball players. Comparisons between the assessments were made using both regression and Bland-Altman plots. Reliability and precision were also established. RESULTS: A strong relationship existed between humeral torsion variables obtained with ultrasound and CT (R = .797, R (2) = .635, P < .001). The ultrasound assessment yielded reliability coefficients ranging from .991 to .997, with approximately 1° of measurement error. The CT method's reliability coefficients ranged from .805 to .933, with approximately 3.5° of measurement error. CONCLUSION: There was a strong relationship between humeral torsion obtained with ultrasound and CT, the current standard of assessment. Ultrasound provides a reliable, valid alternative to CT for obtaining an indication of the amount of humeral torsion in the upper extremity.
Authors: Matthew Michael Astolfi; Aaron H Struminger; Todd D Royer; Thomas W Kaminski; Charles B Swanik Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2015-03-26 Impact factor: 2.860