EVALUATION OF KYPHOSIS MEASUREMENT IN THORACOLUMBAR SPINE FRACTURES

ABSTRACT Objectives: Evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of kyphosis measurement in thoracolumbar spine traumatic fractures by different assessment methods types fractures. Methods: Fifteen spine, previously classified into A, B, C according to Magerl’s classification, were evaluated. The value was measured using five methods: (1) Cobb angle; (2) Gardner’s method; (3) back wall (4) angle adjacent endplates; (5) wedge angle. measurements performed independent observers repeated times with a minimum interval two weeks between each evaluation. Results: Intraobserver excellent among observers, evidencing good methods. used also showed great intraobserver global analysis, one four being more consistent. Conclusion: Although there is no universal agreement on measuring fractures, our study concluded that method 1 (Cobb angle) 4 (adjacent endplate presented best interobserver reliabilities. Furthermore, use digitized radiographs simple computer program allowed performance highly reliable reproducible all methods, given high reliability. Level Evidence II; Comparative study.