Quantitative measurement of syndesmophyte volume and height in ankylosing spondylitis using CT.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Syndesmophyte growth in ankylosing spondylitis can be difficult to measure using radiographs because of poor visualisation and semiquantitative scoring methods. We developed and tested the reliability and validity of a new computer-based method that fully quantifies syndesmophyte volumes and heights on CT scans.

Methods

In this developmental study, we performed lumbar spine CT scans on 38 patients and used our algorithm to compute syndesmophyte volume and height in four intervertebral disk spaces. To assess reliability, we compared results between two scans performed on the same day in nine patients. To assess validity, we compared computed measures to visual ratings of syndesmophyte volume and height on both CT scans and radiographs by two physician readers.

Re

SUBMITTER: Tan S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5071781 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature