Reliability and Reproducibility of CT-Based Facet Joint Measurements in Patients With AOSpine Type A2, A3, and A4 Thoracolumbar Fractures
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 12
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Interobserver reliability of facet joint space width measurements
研究概览
简要总结
The Reliability Evaluation of Facet joint Assessment by Computed Tomography in thoracolumbar fractures (REFACT) study aims to evaluate how consistently different specialists assess thoracolumbar facet joints on computed tomography (CT) images in patients with AOSpine type A2, A3, or A4 thoracolumbar fractures.
The main questions are:
- How consistently do different raters classify facet joint degeneration using the Pathria grading system?
- How consistently do different raters measure facet joint angle and mean facet joint space width on CT images?
- How reproducible are these assessments when the same rater repeats the measurements after a one-month interval?
The study will use anonymized retrospective CT DICOM datasets obtained from the institutional imaging archive. Six independent raters (three neurosurgeons and three radiology specialists) will evaluate the same CT datasets using a standardized measurement protocol. Each rater will perform two independent assessment rounds separated by a one-month washout period. The results will be used to determine the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of qualitative and quantitative CT-based facet joint assessment methods.
详细描述
The Reliability Evaluation of Facet joint Assessment by Computed Tomography in thoracolumbar fractures (REFACT) study is an imaging-based, multirater reliability study designed to evaluate the reproducibility of computed tomography-based assessment of thoracolumbar facet joints.
The study represents the methodological stage of a broader research program investigating longitudinal degenerative changes in the facet joints after surgical or conservative treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. Before changes in facet joint morphology can be interpreted over time, the reliability of the imaging assessment methods must first be established in the target patient population.
Anonymized CT DICOM datasets will be selected from the institutional imaging archive of the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine. The datasets will include patients with AOSpine type A2, A3, or A4 thoracolumbar junction fractures and will cover the anatomical levels required for standardized facet joint assessment. No additional imaging, patient contact, study-specific treatment, or prospective clinical intervention will be performed.
Six independent raters will participate in the study: three neurosurgeons and three specialists in radiology or CT imaging. All raters will use the same standardized assessment protocol and the same DICOM viewing software.
Before the formal assessment, the raters will participate in a joint training session using one representative anonymized CT dataset that will not be included in the main analysis. The session will be used to demonstrate the assessment procedure, standardize image orientation and vertebral level identification, clarify the interpretation of the Pathria grading system, and review the procedures for measuring facet joint angle and facet joint space width. Any ambiguities in the assessment instructions will be resolved before the formal study begins.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Other
- 时间视角
- Retrospective
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 65 Years（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •patient age from 18 to 50 years;
- •thoracolumbar fracture classified as AOSpine type A2, A3, or A4;
- •availability of CT images covering vertebral levels from Th9 to L3;
- •absence of imaging artifacts at the levels planned for assessment.
排除标准
- •bone density of the thoracolumbar junction vertebrae below 100 HU;
- •systemic bone or joint disorders associated with changes in the FJs or intervertebral discs, including diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other comparable conditions;
- •previous spinal surgery, including procedures performed without implants;
- •fractures with distraction or translational injury of the posterior supporting column.
研究组 & 干预措施
CT Image Review Cohort
Anonymized CT scans of the thoracolumbar spine (T9-L3) obtained from eligible patients aged 18 to 65 years and reviewed independently by six raters to assess inter-rater and intra-rater reproducibility of CT-based evaluation of facet joint and intervertebral disc degenerative changes
干预措施: Computed Tomography Image Review (Diagnostic Test)
结局指标
主要结局
Interobserver reliability of facet joint space width measurements
时间窗: At baseline CT image review
Interobserver reliability of quantitative measurement of mean facet joint space width assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient.
次要结局
- Intraobserver reliability of facet joint space width measurements(At baseline and 1 month later)
研究者
Ivan Lvov, MD, PhD
External investigator
Sklifosovsky Institute of Emergency Care