J M Zauscher1, R Estrada, J Edinger, C J Lischer. 1. Equine Clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. johanna.zauscher@fu-berlin.de
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: To evaluate intra- and interobserver variability in ultrasonographic measurements of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament (PSL) in the horse. HYPOTHESIS: A minimum difference of ≥20% is required to differentiate reliably between physiological and pathological alterations related to dimensions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two operators examined the PSL in all 4 limbs of 14 horses twice using different techniques and different probes with and without standoff pads. Measurements were taken from the longitudinal and transverse images. Inter- and intraoperator variability was evaluated using agreement indices (AI) and the 95% limits of agreement (LOA). RESULTS: On the longitudinal scan the mean inter- and intraoperator AIs for dorsopalmar/-plantar thickness were both ≥0.89 and the 95% LOA were within target values for almost all intra- and interoperator comparisons. Similar mean AIs and 95% LOA were calculated for the dorsopalmar/-plantar thickness on the transverse image. For lateromedial width, cross-sectional area and circumference on the transverse scan, the mean inter- and intraoperator AIs ranged between 0.81 and 0.95 and the 95% LOA were higher than target values regardless of the imaging technique used. In general, better values for AIs and 95% LOA were achieved in the fore- compared with the hindlimb. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acceptable precision was identified within and between operators only for the dorsopalmar/-plantar thickness in longitudinal and in transverse scanning directions. For the lateromedial width, cross-sectional area and circumference, a relatively large variability was identified. This aspect has to be considered if these parameters are to be used for objective measurement of the PSL from the transverse ultrasound image.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: To evaluate intra- and interobserver variability in ultrasonographic measurements of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament (PSL) in the horse. HYPOTHESIS: A minimum difference of ≥20% is required to differentiate reliably between physiological and pathological alterations related to dimensions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two operators examined the PSL in all 4 limbs of 14 horses twice using different techniques and different probes with and without standoff pads. Measurements were taken from the longitudinal and transverse images. Inter- and intraoperator variability was evaluated using agreement indices (AI) and the 95% limits of agreement (LOA). RESULTS: On the longitudinal scan the mean inter- and intraoperator AIs for dorsopalmar/-plantar thickness were both ≥0.89 and the 95% LOA were within target values for almost all intra- and interoperator comparisons. Similar mean AIs and 95% LOA were calculated for the dorsopalmar/-plantar thickness on the transverse image. For lateromedial width, cross-sectional area and circumference on the transverse scan, the mean inter- and intraoperator AIs ranged between 0.81 and 0.95 and the 95% LOA were higher than target values regardless of the imaging technique used. In general, better values for AIs and 95% LOA were achieved in the fore- compared with the hindlimb. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acceptable precision was identified within and between operators only for the dorsopalmar/-plantar thickness in longitudinal and in transverse scanning directions. For the lateromedial width, cross-sectional area and circumference, a relatively large variability was identified. This aspect has to be considered if these parameters are to be used for objective measurement of the PSL from the transverse ultrasound image.
Authors: Alexandra Scharf; Cristobal Navas de Solis; Sarah N Sampson; Kati Glass; Ashlee E Watts Journal: Vet Surg Date: 2021-12-31 Impact factor: 1.618