Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/18016
Title: Operator variability in scan positioning is a major component of HR-pQCT precision error and is reduced by standardized training.
Austin Authors: Bonaretti, S;Vilayphiou, N;Chan, C M;Yu, A;Nishiyama, K;Liu, D ;Boutroy, S;Ghasem-Zadeh, Ali ;Boyd, S K;Chapurlat, R;McKay, H;Shane, E;Bouxsein, M L;Black, D M;Majumdar, S;Orwoll, E S;Lang, T F;Khosla, S;Burghardt, A J
Affiliation: Scanco Medical AG, Brüttisellen, Switzerland
University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Medicine (University of Melbourne)
Department of Radiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
INSERM UMR 1033, Université de Lyon, Lyon, France
Center for Advanced Orthopaedic Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
Division of Endocrinology, Bone and Mineral Unit, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Issue Date: Jan-2017
Date: 2016-07-30
Publication information: Osteoporosis International 2017; 28(1): 245-257
Abstract: In this study, we determined that operator positioning precision contributes significant measurement error in high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Moreover, we developed software to quantify intra- and inter-operator variability and demonstrated that standard positioning training (now available as a web-based application) can significantly reduce inter-operator variability. HR-pQCT is increasingly used to assess bone quality, fracture risk, and anti-fracture interventions. The contribution of the operator has not been adequately accounted in measurement precision. Operators acquire a 2D projection ("scout view image") and define the region to be scanned by positioning a "reference line" on a standard anatomical landmark. In this study, we (i) evaluated the contribution of positioning variability to in vivo measurement precision, (ii) measured intra- and inter-operator positioning variability, and (iii) tested if custom training software led to superior reproducibility in new operators compared to experienced operators. To evaluate the operator in vivo measurement precision, we compared precision errors calculated in 64 co-registered and non-co-registered scan-rescan images. To quantify operator variability, we developed software that simulates the positioning process of the scanner's software. Eight experienced operators positioned reference lines on scout view images designed to test intra- and inter-operator reproducibility. Finally, we developed modules for training and evaluation of reference line positioning. We enrolled six new operators to participate in a common training, followed by the same reproducibility experiments performed by the experienced group. In vivo precision errors were up to threefold greater (Tt.BMD and Ct.Th) when variability in scan positioning was included. The inter-operator precision errors were significantly greater than the short-term intra-operator precision (p < 0.001). New trained operators achieved comparable intra-operator reproducibility to experienced operators and lower inter-operator reproducibility (p < 0.001). Precision errors were significantly greater for the radius than for the tibia. Operator reference line positioning contributes significantly to in vivo measurement precision and is significantly greater for multi-operator datasets. Inter-operator variability can be significantly reduced using a systematic training platform, now available online ( http://webapps.radiology.ucsf.edu/refline/ ).
URI: https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/18016
DOI: 10.1007/s00198-016-3705-5
ORCID: 
Journal: Osteoporosis International
PubMed URL: 27475931
Type: Journal Article
Subjects: HR-pQCT
Multicenter studies
Operator reproducibility
Precision
Standardization
Appears in Collections:Journal articles

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