Abstract
The purpose of this study was to quantify inter-rater reliability when measuring spinal structure dimensions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A new open MRI machine was available that allowed patients be recumbent, sitting or standing during an MRI of the spine. A total of 39 low back pain patients were scanned for the study. Patients were scanned in seven postures including recumbent, sitting neutral, flexed, extended, standing neutral, flexed, and extended. Two medical professionals trained in neurosurgery were asked to make measurements on the lumbar spine scans. The scans included 22 axial slices and 14 sagittal view slices. At best the two physicians chose the same slice to evaluate on the MRI in 27 of 39 cases (69%). This study illustrates the differences between physicians when evaluating lumbar spine MRI as well as the subjective nature of medical decision making.
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