Which sequence should be used in the thorax magnetic resonance imaging of COVID-19: a comparative study.

Background and aim: To evaluate and compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences that could potentially be used in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and methods: Included in the study were 42 patient who underwent thorax computed tomography (CT) for COVID-19 pneumonia and thorax MRI for any reason within 24 h after CT. The T2-weighted fast spin echo periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) (T2W-FSE-P), fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition, T2 fat-saturated FSE, axial T1 liver acquisition with volume acceleration (LAVA) and single-shot FSE images were compared in terms of their ability to show COVID-19 findings. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.2 ± 24 years. Of the patients, 22 were male (52.4%) and 20 (47.6%) were female. The interobserver intraclass coefficient (ICC) for the image quality score was the highest in the T2W-FSE-P sequence and lowest in the T1 LAVA sequence. All of the lesion-based evaluations of the interobserver agreement were statistically significant, with the kappa value varying between 0.798 and 0.998. Conclusion: All 5 sequences evaluated in the study were successful in showing the parenchymal findings of COVID-19. Since the T2W-FSE-P sequence had the best scores in both interobserver agreement and ICC for the image quality score, it was considered that it can be included in thorax MRI examinations to assist the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Reliability of levator scapulae index in subjects with and without scapular downward rotation syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to introduce levator scapulae (LS) measurement using a caliper and the levator scapulae index (LSI) and to investigate intra- and interrater reliability of the LSI in subjects with and without scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS). DESIGN: Two raters measured LS length twice in 38 subjects (19 with SDRS and 19 without SDRS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: For reliability testing, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated. RESULTS: Intrarater reliability analysis resulted with ICCs ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 in subjects with SDRS and 0.96 to 0.98 in subjects without SDRS. These results represented that intrarater reliability in both groups were excellent for measuring LS length with the LSI. Interrater reliability was good (ICC: 0.82) in subjects with SDRS; however, interrater reliability was moderate (ICC: 0.75) in subjects without SDRS. Additionally, SEM and MDC were 0.13% and 0.36% in subjects with SDRS and 0.35% and 0.97% in subjects without SDRS. In subjects with SDRS, low dispersion of the measurement errors and MDC were shown. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that the LSI is a reliable method to measure LS length and is more reliable for subjects with SDRS.