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Geometry of the Clavicle and Reliability of Measurement using PACS

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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the geometry of the clavicle and to assess the reliability of Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) for its measurement.

Methods

One hundred pairs of dry clavicles from 78 males and 22 females were measured on radiographs using PACS. Measurements included all of the following parameters: length, width, medial and lateral angulation. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability was calculated.

Results

The mean left clavicle length among males and females was 149.25 ± 9.64 and 133.30 ± 8.32 mm, respectively. The respective mean right clavicle length among the males and females was 147.77 ± 9.99 and 132.08 ± 6.92 mm. The clavicles from male cadavers were significantly longer, wider and thicker than those from females, on both the left and right (P < 0.05). Among both the male and female clavicles, the left side was significantly longer than the right (P < 0.05). There was good to excellent intra-observer reliability (ICC > 0.70) for all parameters. Inter-observer reliability was also found good to excellent for all parameters except for medial clavicular angulation; for which there was fair reliability (ICC = 0.697).

Conclusion

The geometry of the clavicle is influenced by sex and side. Use of PACS as a measurement tool is reliable. Data from this study will be useful for pre-contouring plate or improving future designs of the anatomical plate of the clavicle.

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Acknowledgments

We thank (a) the patients and their families for use of the bones, (b) the Departments of Anatomy, Radiology and Orthopedics for logistical support, (c) the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University for financial support (HE 510635), (d) Mrs. Kaewjai Thepsuthammarat Clinical Epidemiology Unit Faculty of Medicine Khon Kaen University for statistical analysis and (e) Mr. Bryan Roderick Hamman for assistance with the English-language presentation of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Taweechok Wisanuyotin, Chanchai Tidchom, Permsak Paholpak, Winai Sirichativapee, Weerachai Kosuwan & Polasak Jeeravipoolvarn

  2. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Kowit Chaisiwamonkhol

  3. Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand

    Prathana Chowchuen

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  1. Taweechok Wisanuyotin
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Correspondence to Taweechok Wisanuyotin.

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Wisanuyotin, T., Tidchom, C., Chaisiwamonkhol, K. et al. Geometry of the Clavicle and Reliability of Measurement using PACS. Surg Radiol Anat 36, 573–577 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1225-y

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