Reliability of computed tomography measurements in assessment of thigh muscle cross-sectional area and attenuation

摘要: Advancement in technology of computer tomography (CT) and introduction new medical imaging softwares enables easy rapid assessment muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) attenuation. Before using these techniques clinical studies there is a need for evaluation the reliability measurements. The purpose study was to evaluate inter- intra-observer ImageJ measuring thigh muscles CSA attenuation patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by tomography. 31 from an ongoing rehabilitation atrophy after ACL reconstruction were included study. Axial CT images slice thickness 10 mm at level 150 above knee joint analyzed two investigators independently times minimum 3 weeks between readings NIH ImageJ. mean individual both legs. Mean values good agreement when comparing observers replicates. intraclass correlation (ICC) generally very high 0.98 1.00 all comparisons except semimembranosus. All ICC significant (p < 0,001). Pearson coefficients also semimembranosus (0.95 intraobserver 0.92 interobserver). This has presented as method monitor different CT-imaging. shows overall excellent respect observer replicate.