Reliability of semi-automated spinal measurement software

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Spine Surgery

Background:

• Spinopelvic balance analysis is crucial for adult spinal deformity (ASD) treatment, clinical assessment, and surgical planning.
• Current measurement methods lack a gold standard, with no established reliability for new semi-automated software.
• Assessing spinopelvic parameters aids in understanding deformity and planning corrective strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of a new semi-automated software for spinopelvic balance measurement in adult spinal deformity patients.
• To compare the reliability of spine-specific semi-automated tools against basic measurement software.
• To determine if increased efficiency in measurement impacts accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of full spine X-rays from 25 adult patients with >5 cm sagittal imbalance.
• Measurement of spinopelvic parameters (SVA, PI, PT, LL) using two programs: basic (eUnity) and semi-automated (Sectra).
• Assessment of inter-rater and inter-program reliability using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Main Results:

• Strong inter-program reliability was observed, with ICC values >0.91 for all parameters.
• Excellent inter-observer reliability was demonstrated, with ICC values >0.88.
• These high reliability metrics were consistent even on delayed repeat measurements.

Conclusions:

• The semi-automated software demonstrates excellent inter-observer and inter-program reliability.
• Efficiency gains from semi-automated measurement tools do not compromise the reliability of spinopelvic balance assessment.
• This validated software can enhance clinical assessment and surgical planning for adult spinal deformity.