Radiographic quantifications of joint space narrowing progression by computer-based approach using temporal subtraction in rheumatoid wrist

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the validity of a computerbased method using temporal subtraction in carpal joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can detect the difference in joint space between two images with the joint space difference index (JSDI). Methods: The study consisted of 43 patients with RA (39 females and 4 males) who underwent radiography at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. The joint space narrowing (JSN) of carpal joints on bilateral hand radiographs was assessed by our computer-based method, using the Sharp/van der Heijde method as the standard of reference. We compared the JSDI of joints with JSN progression in the follow-up period with that of those without JSN progression. In addition, we examined whether there is a significant difference in JSDI in terms of laterality or topology of the joint.Results: The JSDI of joints with JSN progression was significantly higher than that of those without JSN progression (Mann-Whitney U test, p , 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the JSDI between the left and right carpal joints, which was analysed for five different joints altogether and each joint separately (Mann-Whitney U test, p . 0.05). There was statistically significant difference in JSDI among different joints (Kruskal-Wallis test, p 5 0.003). Conclusion: These results suggest that our computerbased method may be useful to recognize the JSN progression on radiographs of rheumatoid wrists. Advances in knowledge: The computer-based temporal subtraction method can detect the JSN progression in the wrist, which is the single most commonly involved site in RA.

A reliability study using computer-based analysis of finger joint space narrowing in rheumatoid arthritis patients

“…We have developed a computer-based method for the assessment of joint space width difference which can objectively detect slight JSN between two images and compute the joint space difference index (JSDI) using a temporal subtraction technique [10,11]. This method allows the objective and quantitative assessment of JSN progression in patients with RA with high sensitivity and specificity [10,11], using a conventional scoring method as the standard of reference.…”

“…This method allows the objective and quantitative assessment of JSN progression in patients with RA with high sensitivity and specificity [10,11], using a conventional scoring method as the standard of reference. However, the repeatability or intra-/inter-observer reliability of this method has not been fully examined previously.…”

“…Our study group developed a computer-based quantification of joint space width difference using temporal subtraction which can detect joint space narrowing (JSN) progression between two sequential radiographic images which we call the joint space difference index (JSDI) [10]. Ichikawa et al examined JSN progression of 27 RA patients treated with Tocilizumab and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) by using a computer-based method.…”

Radiographic temporal subtraction analysis can detect finger joint space narrowing progression in rheumatoid arthritis with clinical low disease activity

“…Another shortcoming of these methods is that the evaluation can only be done by a medical expert such as a 16 rheumatologist and radiologist. We therefore developed an original software application which can perform computer-based analysis to quantify interval JSN progression using clinical X-ray images of the hand (17,18).…”

“…A computer-based quantification method of JSW difference using temporal subtraction was recently developed which can detect JSN progression between two radiographic images as the joint space difference index (JSDI) (17,18) . Ichikawa et al were successful in showing that JSDI can detect interval change of joint space in hand joints of active RA patients using vdHSS as the gold standard.…”