Search Results (4)

Full-length radiography is essential for evaluating spinal deformities, limb length discrepancies, and preoperative planning in orthopedics, yet the measurement accuracy of different radiographic methods remains unclear. This phantom study compared the accuracy of rotational stitching, one-shot and slot-scanning full-length radiography across six radiographic systems in quantifying distances between anatomical landmarks. Measurement errors were statistically analyzed using appropriate nonparametric tests. The results demonstrated significant differences in measurement accuracy among the three methods (H (2) = 15.86, p < 0.001). Slot-scanning exhibited the highest accuracy, with a mean error of −1.19 ± 10.13 mm, while both rotational stitching and one-shot imaging showed greater systematic underestimation, with mean errors of −18.95 ± 13.77 mm and −15.32 ± 12.38 mm, respectively. These negative biases (approximately 1.9 cm and 1.5 cm) are clinically meaningful because, if unrecognized, they can alter mechanical axis estimation and alignment planning in procedures such as high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Post hoc analysis confirmed the superior accuracy of slot-scanning compared to the other two methods, while no significant difference was found between rotational stitching and one-shot imaging. These findings indicate that system choice substantially impacts measurement accuracy, supporting preferential use of slot-scanning when precise quantitative assessment is required. Full article

Background: Assessment of long leg radiographs (LLRs) in pediatric orthopedic patients is an important but time-consuming routine task for clinicians. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI)-based leg angle measurement assistant software (LAMA) in measuring LLRs in pediatric patients, compared to traditional manual measurements. Methods: Eligible patients, aged 11 to 18 years old, referred for LLR between January and March 2022 were included. The study comprised 29 patients (58 legs, 377 measurements). The femur length, tibia length, full leg length (FLL), leg length discrepancy (LLD), hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) were measured automatically using LAMA and compared to manual measurements of a senior pediatric orthopedic surgeon and an advanced practitioner in radiography. Results: Correct landmark placement with AI was achieved in 76% of the cases for LLD measurements, 88% for FLL and femur length, 91% for mLDFA, 97% for HKA, 98% for mMPTA, and 100% for tibia length. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated moderate to excellent agreement between AI and manual measurements, ranging from 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54 to 0.84) to 1.00 (95%CI: 1.00 to 1.00). Conclusion: In cases of correct landmark placement, AI-based algorithm measurements on LLRs of pediatric patients showed high agreement with manual measurements. Full article

The aim of the present study is to compare cone beam computed tomography and periapical digital radiography for the evaluation of root canal preparation. Nine extracted human molars were used in this study. Following access cavity preparation, mesio-buccal roots of maxillary and mesial roots of mandibular molars were prepared and the remaining roots were cut off. Three amalgam cavities were prepared on the coronal part of the teeth and were filled with amalgam to be used as landmarks. Specimens were scanned using cone-beam computed tomography and periapical digital radiograph images were obtained before and after root canal preparation. WaveOne Gold Primary was used for root canal preparation to full working length. Specimens were then scanned using CBCT and a periapical radiograph for the after-instrumentation images. The transportation and centering ratio were measured and calculated on the CBCT and periapical radiographic images. The Bland–Altman method was used for detecting the bias in the evaluation of agreement between the two methods’ measurements. There was agreement between the two methods’ measurements using CBCT scans and periapical digital radiographic images in the evaluation of transportation and centering ratio parameters. The two methods could be used interchangeably in measurements of transportation and calculating the centering ratio. Full article

Knowledge of the normal length and skeletal proportions of the lower limb is required as part of the evaluation of limb length discrepancy. When measuring limb length, modern standing full-length digital radiographs confer a level of clinical accuracy interchangeable with that of CT imaging. This study reports a set of normative values for lower limb length using the standing full-length radiographs of 753 patients (61% male). Lower limb length, femoral length, tibial length, and the femorotibial ratio were measured in 1077 limbs. The reliability of the measurement method was tested using the intra-class correlation (ICC) of agreement between three observers. The mean length of 1077 lower limbs was 89.0 cm (range 70.2 to 103.9 cm). Mean femoral length was 50.0 cm (39.3 to 58.4 cm) and tibial length was 39.0 cm (30.8 to 46.5 cm). The median side-to-side difference was 0.4 cm (0.2 to 0.7, max 1.8 cm) between 324 paired limbs. The mean ratio of femoral length to tibial length for the study population was 1.28:1 (range 1.16 to 1.39). A moderately strong inverse linear relationship (r = −0.35, p < 0.001, Pearson’s) was identified between tibial length and the corresponding femorotibial ratio. The PACS-based length measurement method used in this study displayed excellent inter-observer reliability (ICC of 0.99). This study presents a normal range of values for lower limb length in adults and is the first to identify a linear relationship between tibial length and the femorotibial ratio. Full article