Reliability of two-dimensional computed tomography for measuring hip anatomy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability (inter- and intra-observer variability) of 4 hip anatomies using 2-dimensional pelvic computed tomography (CT).

Methods: Two-dimensional pelvic CT of 10 men and 10 women aged 33 to 89 (mean, 69) years presenting with non-orthopaedic conditions within one month were evaluated by 3 observers. The centre-edge angle of Wiberg, the Sharp angle, the acetabular depth ratio of Murray, and the acetabular anteversion angle of every hip were measured by each observer. After 6 weeks, these measurements were repeated. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which represents the variation between patients as a percentage of the variation from all 3 sources (patients, inter-observers, and intra-observers). The ICC was classified as poor (<0.20), fair (0.21-0.40), moderate (0.41-0.60), substantial (0.61-0.80), and excellent (0.81-1.00).

Results: Reliability was substantial for the Sharp angle (ICC=0.74), the acetabular anteversion angle (ICC=0.69), and the acetabular depth ratio of Murray (ICC=0.62), and was fair for the centre-edge angle of Wiberg (ICC=0.40).

Conclusion: The Sharp angle, the acetabular anteversion angle, and the acetabular depth ratio of Murray could be reliably measured using 2-dimensional CT. These measurements are appropriate for population-based studies of hip anatomy.

Keywords: anatomy, cross-sectional; hip joint; reproducibility of results; tomography, X-ray computed.