Summary
The purpose of this preliminary study was to record observer agreement in the assessment
of navicular bone radiographs. This was performed to assess whether a navicular lesion
scoring system would augment tests currently available. Radiographs from both normal
horses and horses affected with navicular disease were used in the study.
The dorsoproximal-palmarodistal oblique (65°) view of both forefeet of 54 individuals
were assessed in an independent and unprejudiced manner by two observers, six months
apart. The total synovial fossae score and the total number of lesions seen were recorded
and intra-class correlation coefficients determined. From this the level of intraobserver
and inter-observer agreement was determined. Substantial intra-observer agreement
(ICC 0.61–0.80) for total synovial fossae score and total number of lesions was attained
by one observer (No. 2) whilst the other (No. 1) attained only poor to moderate aggreement
(ICC 0.40–0.60). The interobserver agreement ranged from moderate to substantial.
In view of the inconsistency seen, in this preliminary evaluation, it is our belief
that a navicular scoring system would not augment currently available diagnostic tests.
This preliminary study examines the consistency of observer agreement for evaluation
of navicular bone radiographs. A low level of observer aggreement, and hence consistency,
was seen. The results suggest that the use of a navicular scoring system to augment
diagnostic tests may be of little value.
Keywords
Navicular syndrome - radiographic assessment - consistency
