Observer variation in the radiographic classification of fractures of the neck of the femur using Garden's system.

By means of Kappa statistics, we calculated the inter- and intra-observer variation in the classification of fractures of the neck of the femur according to Garden's system. Radiographs of 96 consecutive patients were assessed independently by six observers who agreed on classification for only 14 fractures (15%). The level of agreement was poor for the overall classification (Kappa = 0.

Functional closure of the femoral canal revealed by computed tomographic scanning.

The lacuna vasorum contains, as well as the external iliac vessels, a space called the femoral canal which allows pulsation and other changes in the diameter of the two vessels. The canal is closed by a connective tissue septum which is too weak to prevent a herniation alongside the vessels. The functional closure of the canal was investigated by artificial augmentation of the intraluminal pressure of the vein in five specimens and by computed tomographic (CT) scanning during a Valsalva manoeuvre in ten normal persons.