Does the META score evaluating osteoporotic and metastatic vertebral fractures have enough agreement to be used by orthopaedic surgeons with different levels of training?

Purpose: Differentiating osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) from metastatic vertebral fractures (MVF) is difficult. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based score (META score) aiming to differentiate OVF and MVF was recently published; however, an independent agreement assessment is required before the score is used. We performed such independent agreement evaluation, including raters with different levels of training.

The META score for differentiating metastatic from osteoporotic vertebral fractures: an independent agreement assessment.

Background Context: Differentiating osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) from metastatic vertebral fractures (MVFs) is an important clinical challenge. A novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based score (the META score) was described, aiming to differentiate OVF from MVF. This score showed an almost perfect agreement by the group developing it, but an independent agreement evaluation is pending.

A comparative agreement evaluation of two subaxial cervical spine injury classification systems: the AOSpine and the Allen and Ferguson schemes.

Purpose: We performed an agreement study using two subaxial cervical spine classification systems: the AOSpine and the Allen and Ferguson (A&F) classifications. We sought to determine which scheme allows better agreement by different evaluators and by the same evaluator on different occasions.

Methods: Complete imaging studies of 65 patients with subaxial cervical spine injuries were classified by six evaluators (three spine sub-specialists and three senior orthopaedic surgery residents) using the AOSpine subaxial cervical spine classification system and the A&F scheme.

An Independent Inter- and Intraobserver Agreement Evaluation of the AOSpine Subaxial Cervical Spine Injury Classification System.

Study Design: An agreement study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to perform an independent interobserver and intraobserver agreement assessment of the AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification system.

Summary Of Background Data: The AOSpine subaxial cervical spine injury classification system was recently described.

An independent interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility evaluation of the new AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System.

Study Design: Agreement study.

Objective: To perform an independent interobserver and intraobserver agreement evaluation of the new AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System.

Summary Of Background Data: The new AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System was recently published.