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Reliability and Validity of Visual Estimation of Femoral Head Hypoperfusion on Perfusion MRI in Legg-Calve-Perthes
David Y Chong1, Tim Schrader2, Jennifer C Laine3,4
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK.
Background:
Assessing the severity of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease is important for treatment decision-making and determining prognosis. Perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have improved our ability to assess femoral head hypoperfusion, and the use of an image analysis software called HipVasc (Scottish Rite for Children, Dallas TX) has allowed precise quantification for research purposes. In the clinical setting, using HipVasc software is not practical, and visual estimation is used to assess hypoperfusion. Currently, the reliability of visual estimation is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of visual estimation of hypoperfusion on perfusion MRI and compare the results to measurements obtained with the HipVasc software.
Methods:
Fourteen pediatric orthopaedic surgeons, divided into 4 groups, participated in this study. Each surgeon completed a 30-minute in-person training on HipVasc before proceeding. Stratified by category of severity, 122 MRIs were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 groups so that each group member measured the same set of ∼30 MRIs. Each surgeon documented their visual estimation of hypoperfusion first, then used HipVasc to measure the hypoperfusion and recorded their results. Interobserver reliability was assessed at the group level by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient.
Results:
Good correlation and reliability was found between the visual estimate and HipVasc measurements with an overall mean intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87 and mean Pearson coefficient of 0.90. The mean interobserver reliability of visual estimation was 0.84. Observers had a tendency to overestimate hypoperfusion with visual estimation.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates the reliability and validity of visual estimation as a clinically applicable method for determining femoral head hypoperfusion. Our study is the first to measure the reliability of visual estimation and HipVasc with a large cohort of clinicians, specifically pediatric orthopaedic surgeons with varied experience in graphical software analysis. We recommend using visual estimation as a clinically applicable method to make treatment decisions, and its accuracy is comparable to HipVasc software analysis.
Level Of Evidence:
Level III-diagnostic.
Insights
Visual estimation of femoral head hypoperfusion on MRI is reliable and valid for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. This method is clinically applicable and comparable to HipVasc software for treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- Assessing Legg-Calve-Perthes disease severity is crucial for treatment and prognosis.
- Perfusion MRI aids in evaluating femoral head hypoperfusion.
- Clinical assessment currently relies on visual estimation due to impracticality of software like HipVasc.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the reliability and validity of visual estimation of hypoperfusion on perfusion MRI.
- To compare visual estimation results with measurements from HipVasc software.
Main Methods:
- 14 pediatric orthopaedic surgeons were trained on HipVasc software.
- 122 MRIs were randomly assigned for visual estimation and HipVasc measurement.
- Interobserver reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient.
Main Results:
- Good correlation (Pearson coefficient 0.90) and reliability (ICC 0.87) were found between visual estimation and HipVasc.
- The mean interobserver reliability for visual estimation was 0.84.
- A tendency to overestimate hypoperfusion was observed with visual estimation.
Conclusions:
- Visual estimation is a reliable and valid clinical method for assessing femoral head hypoperfusion.
- This method is comparable in accuracy to HipVasc software.
- Visual estimation is recommended for clinical decision-making in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
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