MEASUREMENT OF THE SCAPHOID HUMPBACK DEFORMITY USING LONGITUDINAL COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY - INTRAOBSERVER AND INTEROBSERVER VARIABILITY USING VARIOUS MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

The intra-and interobserver variability of 3 techniques for measuring the humpback deformity of 37 scaphoids using longitudinal computed tom ography was assessed. The 3 measuring techniques were the lateral intr ascaphoid angle, the dorsal cortical angle, and the height-to-length r atio. The intraobserver reliability of the intrascaphoid angle was poo r; the dorsal cortical angle was moderate to excellent, and the height -to-length ratio was excellent. The interobserver reliability of the i ntrascaphoid angle was poor to moderate, the dorsal cortical angle was moderate to excellent, and the height-to-length ratio was moderate to excellent. For ail 3 observers, the intra-and interobserver reliabili ty was the best for the height-to-length ratio and worst for the intra scaphoid angle. The height-to-length ratio is the most reproducible me thod of assessing the humpback deformity. Clinical correlation is requ ired to establish whether the height-to-length ratio will be of value in predicting the outcome of fractures of the scaphoid. Copyright (C) 1998 by the American Society far Surgery of the Hand.