Summary
Objectives: To determine observer agreement on radiographic evaluation of central tarsal bone
(CTB) fractures and compare this with evaluation of the same fractures using computed
tomography (CT).
Methods: Radiographs and CT scans were obtained of the right tarsi from limbs of Greyhounds
euthanatized after sustaining severe CTB fracture during racing. Four observers described
and classified each fracture. Inter- and intra-observer agreements were calculated.
Results: Inter-observer agreement was higher for assessment of fractures using CT. Several
fractures assessed by radiography were mis-classified as a less severe type. Intra-observer
agreement for assessment and classification of CTB fractures via radiography versus
CT was variable. Overall agreement among all four observers was higher for CT than
radiography. Additionally, when identifying fractures of the adjacent tarsal bones,
observer agreement was higher for CT than radiography.
Clinical significance: Computed tomography improved observer ability to correctly evaluate CTB fracture
and detect the degree of displacement and extent of any comminution. Identification
of fractures of adjacent tarsal bones was also improved when tarsi were assessed using
CT. These data suggest that treatment decisions based solely on radiographic assessment
of CTB fractures may not produce the expected outcome.
Keywords
Greyhound - radiography - computed tomography - central tarsal bone - fracture classification
