Background information
The role of leg length discrepancy (LLD) has been implicated in certain types of scoliosis [1]. Scoliotic LLD has been suggested as a result of rotation of the innominate bones [2]. However, the role of innominate vertical lengths (IVLs) as a predisposing factor for scoliosis is not clear. The reliability of radiographic measurements may reveal whether IVL can be used as a factor for clinical assessment.
Purpose
Clinical investigation of quantifying bilateral IVLs and to assess the intra- and inter-observer variability using digital radiographic techniques.
Methods
Twenty x-ray films from scoliotic patients with LLD were chosen based on convenience, without predilection for gender and age. Images were examined by 7 trained observers to compare bilateral IVLs and to estimate the variability, as well as intra- and inter-observer variations. Each image was measured 3 times at a minimum interval of 1 week. All radiographs were calibrated by the software to allow for accurate length measurements. Student’s t-test was used to compare bilateral IVLs. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used. 95% prediction limits for the errors in measurements to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities. A mean ICC value of 0.93 was determined for interobserver reliability and a mean ICC value of 0.96 for intraobserver reliability.
Results
Overall mean right IVL was 192.6 ± 6.94mm, and left IVL was 190.4 ± 6.95mm. Although there was a discrepancy between bilateral IVLs, there was no statistical significance (P>0.05). Interobserver ICC was 0.954 and intraobserver ICC was 0.974.
Conclusion
Scoliosis patients with LLD might show asymmetrical IVLs; however, this discrepancy has no statistical significance; therefore, IVL is not a strong clinical indicator in assessing scoliotic LLD. On the other hand, the computer-assisted measurements are clinically advantageous and appropriate to assess scoliosis parameters. Digital measurement among different observers showed excellent reliability for the majority of IVL parameters, making it a useful method for the analysis of pathology on radiographs in scoliosis patients.
References
Raczkowski JW, Daniszewska B, Zolynski K: Functional scoliosis caused by leg length discrepancy. Arch Med Sci. 2010, 6 (3): 393-398.
Friberg O, Nurminen M, Korhonen K, Soininen E, Mänttäri T: Accuracy and precision of clinical estimation of leg length inequality and lumbar scoliosis: Comparison of clinical and radiological measurements. Int Disabil Stud. 1988, 10 (2): 49-53. 10.3109/09638288809164098.
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He, X., Jung, H., Ham, J. et al. The comparison and validity and reliability study of bilateral innominate vertical length measurements using innovative digital radiographic imaging software in assessing scoliotic leg length discrepancy. Scoliosis 9 (Suppl 1), O9 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-9-S1-O9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-7161-9-S1-O9