Do computed tomography and its 3D reconstruction increase the reproducibility of classifications of fractures of the proximal extremity of the humerus?

Objective: to determine whether 3D reconstruction images from computed tomography (CT) increase the inter and intraobserver agreement of the Neer and Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) classification systems.

Methods: radiographic images and tomographic images with 3D reconstruction were obtained in three shoulder positions and were analyzed on two occasions by four independent observers.

Results: the radiographic evaluation demonstrated that using CT improved the inter and intraobserver agreement of the Neer classification.