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Diffusion tensor imaging of the median nerve: intra-, inter-reader agreement, and agreement between two software packages

Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To assess intra-, inter-reader agreement, and the agreement between two software packages for magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements of the median nerve.

Materials and methods

Fifteen healthy volunteers (seven men, eight women; mean age, 31.2 years) underwent DTI of both wrists at 1.5 T. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the median nerve were measured by three readers using two commonly used software packages. Measurements were repeated by two readers after 6 weeks. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results

ICCs for intra-reader agreement ranged from 0.87 to 0.99, for inter-reader agreement from 0.62 to 0.83, and between the two software packages from 0.63 to 0.82. Bland-Altman analysis showed no differences for intra- and inter-reader agreement and agreement between software packages.

Conclusion

The intra-, inter-reader, and agreement between software packages for DTI measurements of the median nerve were moderate to substantial suggesting that user- and software-dependent factors contribute little to variance in DTI measurements.

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Fig. 1a–d

Abbreviations

ADC:

Apparent diffusion coefficient

CSA:

Cross-sectional area

DTI:

Diffusion tensor imaging

FA:

Fractional anisotropy

FoV:

Field of view

FSE:

Fast spin-echo

HA:

Hamate bone

ICC:

Intra-class correlation coefficient

NEX:

Number of excitations

MR:

Magnetic resonance

PI:

Pisiform bone

RC:

Radio-carpal joint

ROI:

Region of interest

ssSE EPI:

Single-shot spin-echo-based echo planar imaging

TE:

Echo time

TR:

Relaxation time

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Musculoskeletal Imaging Research Group, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, CH 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Roman Guggenberger, Daniel Nanz, Gilbert Puippe & Gustav Andreisek

  2. Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zurich, Hirschengraben 84, CH 8001, Zurich, Switzerland

    Kaspar Rufibach

  3. Department of Medical Imaging, Mount Sinai Hospital and the University Health Network, University of Toronto, 600 University Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X5

    Lawrence M. White

  4. Department of Medical Imaging, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 585 University Ave., NCSB 1C-572, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X5

    Marshall S. Sussman

Authors
  1. Roman Guggenberger
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  2. Daniel Nanz
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  3. Gilbert Puippe
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  4. Kaspar Rufibach
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  5. Lawrence M. White
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  6. Marshall S. Sussman
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  7. Gustav Andreisek
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Correspondence to Gustav Andreisek.

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Guggenberger, R., Nanz, D., Puippe, G. et al. Diffusion tensor imaging of the median nerve: intra-, inter-reader agreement, and agreement between two software packages. Skeletal Radiol 41, 971–980 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-011-1310-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-011-1310-4

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