Original Research

Measurement of Thoracolumbar Kyphosis After Burst Fracture: Evaluation of Intraobserver, Interobserver, and Variability of 4 Measurement Methods

Author and Disclosure Information

There are various methods for measuring kyphosis after thoracolumbar burst fracture. The reliability and reproducibility of these methods are not well defined. In the study reported here, we examined 4 commonly used measurement methods in order to determine intraobserver variability, interobserver variability, and variability between measurement methods. All 4 methods were found to be accurate and reproducible when used by 4 observers on 2 occasions. One method, in comparison with the others, tended to overestimate degree of kyphosis. Understanding the methods for measuring kyphotic deformity after thoracolumbar burst fracture is essential in making decisions about prognosis and treatment.


 

Recommended Reading

Gunshot Wounds to the Spine: Literature Review and Report on a Migratory Intrathecal Bullet
MDedge Surgery
Small-Caliber Gunshot Wound With Fragment Lodged in Thoracic Foramen in a Patient With Partial Brown-Sequard Syndrome
MDedge Surgery
Osteopetrosis: "Sandwich Vertebrae"
MDedge Surgery
Delayed Diagnosis of a Flexion-Distraction (Seat Belt) Injury in a Patient With Multiple Abdominal Injuries: A Case Report
MDedge Surgery
Management of Late Posttraumatic Kyphosis With Anterior Z-Plate Instrumentation
MDedge Surgery
Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
MDedge Surgery
Use of Fluoroscopically Guided Intra-articular Hip Injection in Differentiating the Pain Source in Concomitant Hip and Lumbar Spine Arthritis
MDedge Surgery
Baastrup Disease
MDedge Surgery
Autofusion of the Cervical Spine in 2 Children Following Open Biopsy of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
MDedge Surgery
5 Points on Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Cervical Spine: What You Need to Know
MDedge Surgery