The Effect of a Technical Quality Assessment of Hip-Extended Radiographs on Interobserver Agreement in the Diagnosis of Canine Hip Dysplasia

Abstract

Experienced and inexperienced observers evaluated the assessability of 50 radiographs (25 dogs) and determined the hip status (dysplasia/nondysplasia and final scoring according Fe´de´ration Cynologique Internationale [FCI]-criteria) individually. A radiographic technical quality assessment was performed in a separate reading session. Interobserver agreement in determining dysplasia/nondysplasia and FCI-scoring did not significantly increase with the increasing quality of a radiograph, irrespective whether these observers are experienced or not. There was a significant agreement between the technical quality assessment and assessability (Po0.0005). Despite the effort to objectify radiographic quality and to present high-quality radiographs to observers, interobserver agreement on dysplasia/nondysplasia and final scoring, remains low, even in the experienced group. Although increased radiographic quality narrows the range of scoring, the range remains unacceptably high. r

Intra‐ and Interobserver Agreement on Radiographic Phenotype in the Diagnosis of Canine Hip Dysplasia

“…From these, 50 radiographs were selected to represent the reported relative frequency of FCI (Féderation Cynologique Internationale) scores: 28% A, 36% B, 24% C, 8% D, and 4% E . The selected radiographs met technical and positional requirements described in a previous study, which comply with the official screening regulations of the FCI. Furthermore, selection was based on the presence of a CFHO, CCO, osteosclerosis of the CrAE, and DJD.…”

“…Radiographic assessment of canine hip joints has been used for over 4 decades in several screening mechanisms worldwide. Several authors reported low inter‐ and intraobserver agreement of subjective hip scoring of the ventrodorsal hip extended radiographic view . Changes in hip joint phenotype can manifest themselves as hip joint remodeling, hip joint laxity, and degenerative joint disease (DJD).…”

Effects of pelvis rotation on the projected radiographic position of the femoral head in relationship to the acetabulum

“…Hip dysplasia can affect more than 40% of dogs of various breeds (Comhaire et al 2009;Ginja et al 2009) and the progress made in decreasing the incidence of canine HD remains low (Verhoeven et al 2010;Smith et al 2012). Accurate screening for canine HD is essential to make adequate recommendations regarding breeding programmes (Chalmers et al 2013) and treatment of canine HD (Verhoeven et al 2010).…”

“…Accurate screening for canine HD is essential to make adequate recommendations regarding breeding programmes (Chalmers et al 2013) and treatment of canine HD (Verhoeven et al 2010). Radiographic assessment and measurements on the standard VDHE view are the basis of the main international HD scor- Veterinarni Medicina, 62, 2017 (07): 377-385 doi: 10.17221/127/2016-VETMED ing systems: FCI, OFA and BVA/KC (Genevois et al 2007;Skurkova et al 2010;Chalmers et al 2013).…”

Correlation of distraction index with arthroscopic findings in juvenile dogs with hip dysplasia

“…Standard pelvic radiographs have a low sensitivity for diagnosing HD in juvenile dogs prior to the development of degenerative changes in the hip joints. 1,2 In contrast to the subjective evaluation typically performed to evaluate standard pelvic radiographs, distraction view radiographs are obtained while applying tension to the ligament of insertion of the femoral head and joint capsule and allow objective quantitation of hip joint laxity. 3 Distraction view pelvic radiographs allow calculation of a distraction index (DI), which quantitates the relative degree of lateral femoral head displacement from the acetabulum.…”