Assessment of inter- and intraobserver agreement for META score in distinguishing osteoporotic from multiple myeloma vertebral fractures.

PURPOSE: To conduct an independent assessment of inter- and intraobserver agreement for the META score as a tool for differentiating osteoporotic vertebral fractures and multiple myeloma vertebral fractures. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. The magnetic resonance imaging analysis was made by two independent spinal surgeons. We designated a Subjective assessment, in which the surgeon should establish a diagnostic classification for each vertebral fracture based on personal experience: secondary to osteoporosis, categorized as a benign vertebral fracture (BVF), or attributed to multiple myeloma, categorized a malign vertebral fracture (MVF). After a 90-day interval, both surgeons repeated the evaluations. For the next step, the observers should establish a diagnosis between BVF and MVF according to the META score system, and both observers repeated the evaluations after a 90-day interval. The intra and interobserver reliability of the Subjective evaluation was studied using the kappa (κ) test. Then, the META evaluations were paralleled using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: A total of 220 patients who had the potential to participate in the study were initially enrolled, but after applying the exclusion criteria, 44 patients were included. Thirty-three patients had BVF, and 12 patients presented MVF. Interobserver agreement for both Subjective evaluations moments (initial and 90-days interval) found a slight agreement for both moments (0.35 and 0.40 respectively). Kappa test for both META evaluations moments (initial and 90-days interval) found a moderate interobserver agreement for both moments (0.54 and 0.48 respectively). It was observed that the ICC calculated for the Initial evaluation using META score was 0.680 and that in the 90-days interval was 0.726, indicating regular to good agreement. Kappa test for intraobserver agreements for the Subjective evaluation presented moderate agreement for both Surgeons. On the other side, Kappa test for intraobserver agreements for the META evaluation presented substantial agreement for both Surgeons. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of the META score found presented an almost perfect agreement for both Surgeons. CONCLUSION: Intra and interobserver agreement for both surgeons were unsatisfactory. The lack of consistent reproducibility by the same observer discourages and disfavors the routine use of the META score in clinical decision making, when potentially cases of multiple myeloma may be present.

Description of the Sacropelvic Parameters Measurement Method for S2-alar iliac Screw Insertion.

Objective Description of the sacropelvic parameters measurement method for S2-alar iliac (S2AI) screw insertion. Methods Descriptive study of the method for measuring sacropelvic parameters for the insertion of the S2AI screw using computed tomography (CT). The data evaluated in multiplanar reconstructions were the parameters of the screw trajectory, including length, diameter and angles of the trajectory in the axial and sagittal planes. Results From the sagittal reconstruction, the axis of the series of axial slices is angled three-dimensionally so that it is possible to visualize the S2 vertebra, the screw entry point, and the anteroinferior iliac spine (AIIS) in the same plane. The entry point is demarcated at the midpoint between the dorsal foramina of S1 and S2. To measure the length of the screw, lines are drawn tangent to the inner and outer cortices of the iliac. The diameter is determined by the shortest distance between the inner and outer iliac faces minus half of the diameter of the screw chosen medially and laterally. The path angle in the axial plane is formed by the anteroposterior midline of the sacrum and the line of the screw length. The craniocaudal inclination angle in relation to the S1 plateau corresponds to the degree of inclination made in the sagittal plane to find the image in which the entry point and the AIIS are seen in the same plane. Conclusion It was possible to adequately assess, through multiplanar CT reconstructions, the sacropelvic parameters necessary for the safe insertion of the S2AI screw.

Description of the Sacropelvic Parameters Measurement Method for S2-alar iliac Screw Insertion / Descrição do método de aferição dos parâmetros sacropélvicos para a inserção do parafuso S2-asa do ilíaco

Abstract Objective Description of the sacropelvic parameters measurement method for S2-alar iliac (S2AI) screw insertion. Methods Descriptive study of the method for measuring sacropelvic parameters for the insertion of the S2AI screw using computed tomography (CT). The data evaluated in multiplanar reconstructions were the parameters of the screw trajectory, including length, diameter and angles of the trajectory in the axial and sagittal planes. Results From the sagittal reconstruction, the axis of the series of axial slices is angled three-dimensionally so that it is possible to visualize the S2 vertebra, the screw entry point, and the anteroinferior iliac spine (AIIS) in the same plane. The entry point is demarcated at the midpoint between the dorsal foramina of S1 and S2. To measure the length of the screw, lines are drawn tangent to the inner and outer cortices of the iliac. The diameter is determined by the shortest distance between the inner and outer iliac faces minus half of the diameter of the screw chosen medially and laterally. The path angle in the axial plane is formed by the anteroposterior midline of the sacrum and the line of the screw length. The craniocaudal inclination angle in relation to the S1 plateau corresponds to the degree of inclination made in the sagittal plane to find the image in which the entry point and the AIIS are seen in the same plane. Conclusion It was possible to adequately assess, through multiplanar CT reconstructions, the sacropelvic parameters necessary for the safe insertion of the S2AI screw.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever como aferir os parâmetros sacropélvicos para a inserção segura do parafuso S2-asa do ilíaco (S2AI). Métodos Estudo descritivo do método de aferição dos parâmetros sacropélvicos para a inserção do parafuso S2AI por meio de tomografia computadorizada (TC). Os dados avaliados em reconstruções multiplanares foram os parâmetros da trajetória do parafuso, incluindo comprimento, diâmetro e ângulos de trajetória nos planos axial e sagital. Resultados A partir da reconstrução sagital, angula-se tridimensionalmente o eixo da série de cortes axiais de modo que seja possível visualizar a vértebra S2, o ponto de entrada do parafuso e a espinha ilíaca anteroinferior (EIAI) no mesmo plano. O ponto de entrada é demarcado no ponto médio entre os forames dorsais de S1 e S2. Para medir o comprimento do parafuso, traçam-se linhas tangenciando as corticais interna e externa do ilíaco. O diâmetro é determinado pela menor distância entre as tábuas interna e externa do ilíaco subtraindo metade do diâmetro do parafuso escolhido medialmente e lateralmente. O ângulo de trajetória no plano axial é formado pela linha média anteroposterior do sacro e a linha do comprimento do parafuso. O ângulo de inclinação craniocaudal em relação ao platô de S1 corresponde ao grau de inclinação feito no plano sagital para encontrar a imagem em que o ponto de entrada e a EIAI são vistos no mesmo plano. Conclusão Foi possível aferir adequadamente, por meio de reconstruções multiplanares de TC, os parâmetros sacropélvicos necessários para a inserção segura do parafuso S2AI.