Inter-observer agreement of paranasal sinus computed tomography scans. (3rd June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Julkunen, Anna; Terna, Emma; Numminen, Jura; Markkola, Antti; Dastidar, Prasun; Karjalainen, Matti; Huhtala, Heini; Rautiainen, Markus; Meurman, Jukka; Toppila-Salmi, Sanna
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 137:Number 6(2017)
• Page Start: 611
• Page End: 617
• Publication Date: 2017-06-03
• Subjects: CT -- inter-observer -- reproducibility -- chronic rhinosinusitis -- sinus imaging; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2016.1262552
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Conclusion: The study demonstrated considerable inter-observer variation in certain surgically important structures. This would indicate the significance for consultation when evaluating sinus CT scans of CRS patients for planned advanced sinus surgery. Objectives: After the failure of medical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the need for surgery and the pre-operative planning of safe surgery is based on computed tomography (CT) findings. The aim of this prospective study was to compare inter-observer agreement of anatomical and surgical structures of sinus CT scans. The hypothesis was that the agreement between observers is good. Methods: Of these 57 CRS patients, Lund-Mackay (LM) scores and 43 other structural parameters were analyzed blinded. The reproducibility of the findings between three observers, a radiologist, an Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, and an ENT resident, were compared. Results: In general, there was moderate inter-observer agreement of the structures by Cohen's kappa coefficient. Poor reproducibility was observed in the following structures: optic nerve, insertion of the uncinated process, anterior ethmoidal artery, and Keros class.