Simplified Universal Grading of Lumbar Spine MRI Degenerative Findings: Inter-Reader Agreement of Non-Radiologist Spine Experts

• Published in: Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) Vol. 22; no. 7; pp. 1485 - 1495
• Main Authors: Miskin, Nityanand, Isaac, Zacharia, Lu, Yi, Makhni, Melvin C, Sarno, Danielle L, Smith, Timothy R, Zampini, Jay M, Mandell, Jacob C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Agreements; Bone surgery; Classification; Communications systems; Degeneration (Pathology); Diagnosis; Health aspects; Magnetic resonance imaging; Methods; Neurosurgery; Pain; Pain management; Practice guidelines (Medicine); Spinal diseases; Spinal stenosis; Spine (lumbar); Vertebrae, Lumbar; United States; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Spinal Stenosis; Spine; Low Back Pain; Lumbar; Degenerative Disc Disease; Facet Joint; Low back pain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• ISSN: 1526-2375; 1526-4637
• DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnab098

Abstract Objective 1) To describe a simplified multidisciplinary grading system for the most clinically relevant lumbar spine degenerative changes. 2) To measure the inter-reader variability among non-radiologist spine experts in their use of the classification system for interpretation of a consecutive series of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. Methods ATS multidisciplinary and collaborative standardized grading of spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, lateral recess stenosis, and facet arthropathy was developed. Our institution’s picture archiving and communication system was searched for 50 consecutive patients who underwent non-contrast MRI of the lumbar spine for chronic back pain, radiculopathy, or symptoms of spinal stenosis. Three fellowship-trained spine subspecialists from neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and physiatry interpreted the 50 exams using the classification at the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results For spinal stenosis, the readers demonstrated substantial agreement (κ = 0.702). For foraminal stenosis and facet arthropathy, the three readers demonstrated moderate agreement (κ = 0.544, and 0.557, respectively). For lateral recess stenosis, there was fair agreement (κ = 0.323). Conclusions A simplified universal grading system of lumbar spine MRI degenerative findings is newly described. Use of this multidisciplinary grading system in the assessment of clinically relevant degenerative changes revealed moderate to substantial agreement among non-radiologist spine physicians. This standardized grading system could serve as a foundation for interdisciplinary communication.