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Article
Vertebral fracture assessment using a semiquantitative technique
Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009
DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.5650080915
Copyright © 1993 ASBMR
1523-4681/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=a8419ff5f302b0d9fefec557d81c0aa9776c60e3 "Journal of Bone and Mineral Research")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Genant, H. K., Wu, C. Y., van Kuijk, C. and Nevitt, M. C. (1993), Vertebral fracture assessment using a semiquantitative technique. J Bone Miner Res, 8: 1137–1148. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.5650080915
Publication History
- Issue published online: 3 DEC 2009
- Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 13 FEB 1993
- Manuscript Revised: 12 FEB 1993
- Manuscript Received: 23 SEP 1992
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Abstract
The assessment of vertebral fracture by conventional radiography has been refined and improved using either semiquantitative or quantitative criteria. The inter- and intraobserver variability was determined for a semiquantitative visual approach that we routinely use in clinical studies for assessing prevalent and incident vertebral fractures. In addition, the semiquantitative approach was compared with a quantitative morpho-metric approach. The incidence and prevalence of vertebral fractures were determined in 57 postmenopausal women (age 65–75 years) by three independent observers. The radiographic basis for fracture definitions and the source of interpretative errors are illustrated. The results show excellent intraobserver agreement and good interobserver agreement for the semiquantitative technique. We conclude that the semiquantitative approach can be applied reliably in vertebral fracture assessment when performed using well-defined criteria.