PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the consistency between different Doppler ultrasound (DU) modes as well as the intra- and inter-observer reliability of investigators with different experience level in assessing intratendinous blood flow (IBF) in Achilles tendinopathy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 18 participants (36 Achilles tendons, AT) with Achilles tendinopathy (24 AT) were examined with power Doppler ultrasound (PDU), colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and "Advanced Dynamic Flow" (ADF) (Toshiba Xario SSA-660 A; 14MHz transducer) by 2 investigators (experienced, EI; inexperienced, II) in a test-retest design (M1/M2). A modified Öhberg score was used to quantify IBF. Data was analysed descriptively (absolute and relative). Consistency of the 3 modes was presented by Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (Kendall's W). Intra- and inter-observer reliability were calculated by use of Kendall's tau b correlation coefficient. RESULTS: IBF was detected in 79-92% of symptomatic AT and in 33-50% of contralateral asymptomatic AT. Comparing the 3 modes, Kendall's W ranged from 0.97-0.98. Analysis of intra-observer reliability resulted in Kendall's tau 0.90-0.92 for EI and 0.84-0.87 for II. Inter-observer reliability resulted in Kendall's tau 0.64-0.69 in M1 and 0.68-0.70 in M2. CONCLUSION: The very good consistency between PDU, CDU and ADF indicates a comparable applicability for assessing IBF in ATs. Intra-observer reliability was high for both investigators, independent of experience. The moderate inter-observer reliability reflects the challenge in sonographic detection of intratendinous blood flow (IBF) amount.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the consistency between different Doppler ultrasound (DU) modes as well as the intra- and inter-observer reliability of investigators with different experience level in assessing intratendinous blood flow (IBF) in Achilles tendinopathypatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 18 participants (36 Achilles tendons, AT) with Achilles tendinopathy (24 AT) were examined with power Doppler ultrasound (PDU), colour Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and "Advanced Dynamic Flow" (ADF) (Toshiba Xario SSA-660 A; 14MHz transducer) by 2 investigators (experienced, EI; inexperienced, II) in a test-retest design (M1/M2). A modified Öhberg score was used to quantify IBF. Data was analysed descriptively (absolute and relative). Consistency of the 3 modes was presented by Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance (Kendall's W). Intra- and inter-observer reliability were calculated by use of Kendall's tau b correlation coefficient. RESULTS:IBF was detected in 79-92% of symptomatic AT and in 33-50% of contralateral asymptomatic AT. Comparing the 3 modes, Kendall's W ranged from 0.97-0.98. Analysis of intra-observer reliability resulted in Kendall's tau 0.90-0.92 for EI and 0.84-0.87 for II. Inter-observer reliability resulted in Kendall's tau 0.64-0.69 in M1 and 0.68-0.70 in M2. CONCLUSION: The very good consistency between PDU, CDU and ADF indicates a comparable applicability for assessing IBF in ATs. Intra-observer reliability was high for both investigators, independent of experience. The moderate inter-observer reliability reflects the challenge in sonographic detection of intratendinous blood flow (IBF) amount.
Authors: A Hirschmüller; V Frey; P Deibert; L Konstantinidis; F Mayer; N Südkamp; P Helwig Journal: Ultraschall Med Date: 2010-03-16 Impact factor: 6.548
Authors: J M Robinson; J L Cook; C Purdam; P J Visentini; J Ross; N Maffulli; J E Taunton; K M Khan Journal: Br J Sports Med Date: 2001-10 Impact factor: 13.800
Authors: Arco C van der Vlist; Jasper M Veen; Robert F van Oosterom; Peter L J van Veldhoven; Jan A N Verhaar; Robert-Jan de Vos Journal: J Ultrasound Med Date: 2019-11-14 Impact factor: 2.153