Imaging of Herniated Discs of the Cervical Spine: Inter-Modality Differences between 64-Slice Multidetector CT and 1.5-T MRI |
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Authors: | Ji Sook Yi Jang Gyu Cha Jong Kyu Han Hyun-Joo Kim |
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Affiliation: | 1Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon 420-767, Korea.;2Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan 330-721, Korea.;3Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul 140-743, Korea. |
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Abstract: | ObjectiveTo assess inter-modality variability when evaluating cervical intervertebral disc herniation using 64-slice multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).ResultsThe interobserver agreement rates upon evaluation of disc morphology by the three radiologists were in fair to moderate agreement (k = 0.39-0.53 for MDCT images; k = 0.45-0.56 for MRIs). When the disc morphology was categorized into two and four grades, the inter-modality agreement rates were moderate (k-value, 0.59) and substantial (k-value, 0.66), respectively. The inter-modality agreements for evaluations of the NIS (k-value, 0.78) and the epicenter (k-value, 0.79) were substantial. Also, the interobserver agreements for the NIS (CT; k-value, 0.85 and MRI; k-value, 0.88) and epicenter (CT; k-value, 0.74 and MRI; k-value, 0.70) evaluations by two readers were substantial. MDCT tended to underestimate the extent of herniated disc lesions compared with MRI.ConclusionMultidetector-row computed tomography and MRI showed a moderate-to-substantial degree of inter-modality agreement for the assessment of herniated cervical discs. MDCT images have a tendency to underestimate the anterior/posterior extent of the herniated disc compared with MRI. |
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Keywords: | Cervical spine Disc herniation MDCT MRI |
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