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A standardized method for measuring intracranial arterial stenosis.
O B Samuels1, G J Joseph, M J Lynn
1Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology
|April 27, 2000
Summary
This study developed a reliable method for measuring intracranial artery stenosis, showing good agreement among observers. This technique may become a standard for assessing stenosis severity and guiding ischemic stroke treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Atherosclerosis in major intracranial arteries is a significant cause of ischemic stroke.
- Accurate measurement of intracranial artery stenosis is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Existing methods for quantifying stenosis may lack standardized criteria and consistent reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish clear measurement criteria for assessing percent stenosis in major intracranial arteries.
- To evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver agreement of these measurements.
- To determine the interclass and intraclass correlations for the developed measurement technique.
Main Methods:
- Defined percent stenosis using the ratio of the stenotic artery diameter to the normal proximal artery diameter.
- Utilized a digital caliper for measurements by three independent neuroradiologists on 24 stenotic intracranial arteries.
- Assessed agreement by repeating measurements after 4 weeks and calculating agreement rates and correlations.
Main Results:
- High interobserver agreement was observed, ranging from 75% to 100% across readings and observer pairs.
- Intraobserver agreement was also strong, with individual observer agreements ranging from 83% to 100%.
- Interclass correlation coefficients were 85% (first reading) and 87% (second reading); intraclass correlation was 92%.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method demonstrates good interobserver and intraobserver reliability for measuring intracranial artery stenosis.
- This standardized approach shows potential to become a reliable standard for assessing intracranial stenosis.
- Further validation in subsequent studies is recommended to solidify its role in clinical practice.