Article
Comparative sonographic investigations according to Graf and Terjesen
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Published: | June 13, 2005 |
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Outline
Text
Introduction
Comparison of two methods in the context of a hip-screening.
Methods
In the context of a prospektive hip-screening newborn children were examined sonographically by the methods of Graf and Terjesen. After a direct comparison of the measured values, in 50 hip joints the parameters α and FHC were determined of two examiners independently in order to determine the reproductibility of the measurements within the methods. With an "interobserver study" twelve examiners evaluated 24 pictures according to the Graf and Terjesen method, whereby in the statistic analysis the results of the first author are served as "gold standard ". For a "intraobserver study" 24 hip joints were evaluated by an examiner in a distance of two weeks altogether ten times.
Results
464 hips were examined. According to Graf 1.3%, according to Terjesen 4.1% pathological hip joints were found. The average α angle was 62,4°, the average FHC value 55.4%.
Both between all α -and FHC and in each case between the double examined α - and FHC there was a significant correlation. Neither with the interobserver study nor with the intraobserver study substantial differences between the two methods could be shown.The α - angle was the value to be determined most surely by all examiners.
Discussion
While Czubak (1998) postulated a better specificity of the method of Terjesen, in our opinion the results of Graf corresponde better with the well known frequency of 1-2% dysplasias in the population.
From all determined sonographic parameters the α - angle is the best to be reproduced.