A three‐dimensional computed tomographic volume rendering methodology to measure the tibial torsion angle in dogs

• Published in: Veterinary surgery 2021-02, Vol.50 (2), p.353-364
• Main Authors: Longo, Federico, Nicetto, Tommaso, Pozzi, Antonio, Contiero, Barbara, Isola, Maurizio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agreements; Animals; Cadavers; Computed tomography; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - methods; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography - veterinary; Dogs; Dogs - abnormalities; Evaluation; Female; Landmarks; Male; Population studies; Rendering; Tibia; Tibia - abnormalities; Tibia - diagnostic imaging; Torsion Abnormality - diagnostic imaging; Torsion Abnormality - veterinary; Visibility
• ISSN: 0161-3499; 1532-950X
• DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13531

Objective To describe a three‐dimensional (3D) computed tomographic (CT) methodology to measure the tibial torsion angle (TTa) and to evaluate intrarater and interrater agreements and accuracy through comparison with anatomic measurements. Study design Ex vivo cadaveric study. Sample population Thirty‐six tibiae from 18 dogs. Methods Tibial torsion angle of each tibia was measured by using two CT techniques (axial and 3D volume rendering) by three raters who blindly measured TTa in duplicate. A semitransparent bone filter was used to enhance the visibility of the target anatomical landmarks for the 3D volume rendering CT technique. Tibial torsion angle was also quantitated in tibial specimens. Intrarater and interrater agreements were analyzed by using intraclass coefficients (ICC). Accuracy was evaluated by using adjusted R2 coefficients (R2 > 80% was considered acceptable). Results The 3D volume rendering CT technique had excellent intrarater and interrater agreements (ICC > 0.94) and an R2 value of 97%. The axial CT technique had good to excellent intrarater and interrater agreements (0.8