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Feasibility study of semi-automated measurements of finger joint space widths

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate technical feasibility based on image capturing conditions (film-focus distance (FFD), film sensitivity, film brand, exposure level and tube voltage) that potentially alter radiographs and consequently may influence the semi-automated measurement of joint space distance (JSD) by computer-aided joint space analysis (CAJSA) in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The radiographs of a left hand (deceased man) were acquired under systematically changing image capturing conditions (exposure level: 4–8 mAs; FFD: 90–130 cm; film sensitivity: 200/400 and tube voltage: 40–52 kV with different image modalities: conventional radiographs, original digital radiographs, digital print-outs). All JSD-measurements were performed with the CAJSA-technology (Radiogrammetry Kit, Version 1.3.6; Sectra; Sweden) at the metacarpal-phalangeal articulation. JSD-analysis was not influenced by changes of FFD, exposure level, film sensitivity or film brand. JSD showed significant variation caused by tube voltage (conventional: CV = 1.913% for Agfa and CV = 2.448% for Kodak; digital: CV = 0.741% for Philips print-outs and CV = 0.620% with original digital images versus CV = 2.185% for Siemens print-outs and 0.951% with original digital images). Computer-aided joint space analysis for JSD-measurements is unaffected by the following image capturing parameters: film-focus distance, film sensitivity, film brand and exposure level. An influence of tube voltage was detected in a lesser extent for original digital images compared to the printed digital as well as conventional versions. Consequently, a standardized tube voltage is essential for accurate reproductions of CAJSA-measurements in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

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Abbreviations

CAD:

Computer-aided diagnosis

CAJSA:

Computer-aided joint space analysis

Cm:

Centimeter

CV:

Coefficient of variation

DXR:

Digital X-ray radiogrammetry

JSD:

Joint space distance

JSD-MCP:

Joint space distance of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint

MCP:

Metacarpal-phalangeal joint

Mm:

Millimeter

PACS:

Picture Archiving and Communication System

SD:

Standard deviation

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Monika Arens (managing director, Arewus GmbH), Jacob Algulin (managing director, Sectra, Sweden) and Anders Rosholm (Ph.D.) for the use of the computer-aided joint space analysis. Also, many thanks to Rüdiger Vollandt (Ph.D.) for the statistical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine III, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany

    Alexander Pfeil, Gabriele Lehmann & Gunter Wolf

  2. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Erlanger Allee 101, 07747, Jena, Germany

    Julia Sommerfeld & Andreas Hansch

  3. Institute of Anatomy I, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Teichgraben 7, 07740, Jena, Germany

    Rosemarie Fröber

  4. Department of Radiology, Südharz Klinik Nordhausen, Dr. Robert-Koch Str. 39, 99734, Nordhausen, Germany

    Ansgar Malich

  5. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, SRH Wald-Klinikum Gera, Straße des Friedens 122, 07548, Gera, Germany

    Joachim Böttcher

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  1. Alexander Pfeil
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  2. Julia Sommerfeld
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Correspondence to Alexander Pfeil.

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Pfeil, A., Sommerfeld, J., Fröber, R. et al. Feasibility study of semi-automated measurements of finger joint space widths. Rheumatol Int 31, 1349–1354 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1468-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1468-4

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