Reproducibility analysis of the stability and treatment of vertebral metastatic lesions

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the reproducibility among spine surgeons in defining the treatment of vertebral metastatic lesions, taking into account the mechanical stability of injuries. METHODS: Twenty cases of isolated vertebral metastatic lesions were presented to ten experts. Their opinion was then asked about the stability of the lesion, as well as their treatment option. RESULTS: The interobserver Kappa coefficient obtained both for stability analysis as to the decision of the treatment was poor (0.334 and 0.248, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Poor interobserver reproducibility was observed in deciding the treatment of vertebral metastatic lesions when considering the stability of the lesions.

Interobserver reproducibility of radiographic evaluation of lumbar spine instability

“…The results were considered poor among other specialists. Pratali et al, (36) investigated reproducibility between spine surgeons as to definition of treatment of metastatic vertebral lesions, taking into consideration the mechanical stability of the lesions. Twenty cases of isolated metastatic vertebral lesions were presented to 10 specialists, and there was poor interobserver reproducibility in the decision regarding treatment of the metastatic vertebral lesions, when considering the stability of the lesions.…”