Establishing the inter-rater reliability of spinal cord damage manual measurement using magnetic resonance imaging

Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2019 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-019-0164-1 · Published: February 6, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Medical Imaging Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Following a spinal cord injury (SCI), individuals are faced with uncertainty regarding recovery of motor and sensory function; incomplete SCIs are particularly unpredictable due to the wide variability in mechanism, severity, and type of injury. Presently, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the recommended imaging modality for viewing the speciﬁc pathological features of the injured spinal cord. This study sought to establish the inter-rater reliability of ﬁve T2-weighted MRI-based manual measures across seven raters with varying levels of experience (novice to experienced): (1) CCI, (2) EL, (3) MTB, (4) ADR, and (5) edema volume.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

10 participants with cervical incomplete SCI (9 males, 1 female)

Evidence Level

Level III, Retrospective study

Key Findings

1
High-to-excellent inter-rater reliability was found for all measures.
2
ICC values for cranial/caudal levels of involvement, edema length, midsagittal tissue bridge ratio, axial damage ratio, and edema volume were 0.99, 0.98, 0.90, 0.84, and 0.93, respectively.
3
Our results demonstrate that edema characteristics can be reliably measured, even among novice raters.

Research Summary

This study aimed to establish the inter-rater reliability of manual MRI measures of spinal cord damage following cervical incomplete SCI. The study found high-to-excellent inter-rater reliability for all measures, including cranial/caudal levels of involvement, edema length, midsagittal tissue bridge ratio, axial damage ratio, and edema volume. The conclusion is that manual MRI measures of spinal cord damage are reliable between raters, allowing researchers and clinicians to confidently use these measures to quantify cord damage.

Practical Implications

Quantifying Cord Damage

Manual MRI measures can be confidently utilized by researchers and clinicians to quantify spinal cord damage.

Inform Prognosis and Clinical Management

Clinicians, regardless of imaging experience, can reliably measure cord edema to inform prognosis and clinical management.

Enhance Prognosis

Precise measurements, using imaging tests typical of standard practice, may help clinicians to better focus on valuable rehabilitation.

Establishing the inter-rater reliability of spinal cord damage manual measurement using magnetic resonance imaging

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Quantifying Cord Damage

Inform Prognosis and Clinical Management

Enhance Prognosis

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Establishing the inter-rater reliability of spinal cord damage manual measurement using magnetic resonance imaging

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Quantifying Cord Damage

Inform Prognosis and Clinical Management

Enhance Prognosis

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?