Abstract：
BACKGROUND: There is wide variability in radiographic grading systems in thoracolumbar spinous processes in horses. The aim of this study was to determine the agreement of grading different parameters, and combinations of those, in radiographs of the spinous processes of the equine thoracolumbar spine in the scope of a pre-purchase examination. We hypothesized that agreement is variable and interpretation of these radiographs is difficult.
METHODS: Radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine of healthy horses (N = 100) were assessed by three observers. Spinous processes were separately graded for interspinous space width, modelling, radiopacities, radiolucencies and isolated opacities dorsally. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed for individual and combinations of parameters.
RESULTS: Agreement (inter- and intra-observer) was good for the following parameters: interspinous space width, isolated opacities dorsally, beak-shaped formations craniodorsally and modelling cranioventrally. The agreement increased slightly for a sum of specific parameters such as radiopacities, modelling, dorsal abnormalities and related abnormalities involving increased opacity, modelling and osseous cyst-like lesions. Agreement for the total radiographic abnormalities per back was moderate.
CONCLUSIONS: Grading of thoracolumbar radiographs in horses without back pain showed good inter- and intra-observer agreement for specific parameters and these should be used in future grading of spinous processes. Limitations should be considered in pre-purchase examinations.
METHODS: Radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine of healthy horses (N = 100) were assessed by three observers. Spinous processes were separately graded for interspinous space width, modelling, radiopacities, radiolucencies and isolated opacities dorsally. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed for individual and combinations of parameters.
RESULTS: Agreement (inter- and intra-observer) was good for the following parameters: interspinous space width, isolated opacities dorsally, beak-shaped formations craniodorsally and modelling cranioventrally. The agreement increased slightly for a sum of specific parameters such as radiopacities, modelling, dorsal abnormalities and related abnormalities involving increased opacity, modelling and osseous cyst-like lesions. Agreement for the total radiographic abnormalities per back was moderate.
CONCLUSIONS: Grading of thoracolumbar radiographs in horses without back pain showed good inter- and intra-observer agreement for specific parameters and these should be used in future grading of spinous processes. Limitations should be considered in pre-purchase examinations.
摘要：
背景：马胸腰棘突的影像学分级系统存在很大差异。这项研究的目的是确定不同参数分级的一致性，以及这些的组合，在购买前检查范围内的马胸腰椎棘突的X射线照片中。我们假设一致性是可变的，并且很难解释这些X射线照片。
方法：由三名观察者评估了健康马（N=100）的胸腰椎的X射线照片。棘突的棘突间隙宽度分别分级，建模,射线不透明性,背面的具放射性和孤立的混浊。评估了个体和参数组合的观察者之间和观察者之间的一致性。
结果：协议（观察者间和观察者内）对以下参数良好：棘突间间隙宽度，背部孤立的混浊，喙形的颅骨和颅骨模型。该协议对特定参数的总和略有增加，例如放射性，建模,背侧异常和涉及混浊增加的相关异常，建模和骨囊肿样病变。每个背部的总射线照相异常的一致性是中等的。
结论：对无背痛的马进行胸腰段X线片的分级显示，对于具体参数，观察者之间和观察者之间的一致性良好，这些参数应用于未来的棘突分级。在购买前检查中应考虑限制。
方法：由三名观察者评估了健康马（N=100）的胸腰椎的X射线照片。棘突的棘突间隙宽度分别分级，建模,射线不透明性,背面的具放射性和孤立的混浊。评估了个体和参数组合的观察者之间和观察者之间的一致性。
结果：协议（观察者间和观察者内）对以下参数良好：棘突间间隙宽度，背部孤立的混浊，喙形的颅骨和颅骨模型。该协议对特定参数的总和略有增加，例如放射性，建模,背侧异常和涉及混浊增加的相关异常，建模和骨囊肿样病变。每个背部的总射线照相异常的一致性是中等的。
结论：对无背痛的马进行胸腰段X线片的分级显示，对于具体参数，观察者之间和观察者之间的一致性良好，这些参数应用于未来的棘突分级。在购买前检查中应考虑限制。
