Objective: To study the feasibility and reliability of the multi-planar reformation (MPR) of multi-spiral CT (MSCT) in measuring the kyphosis angle (KA) after thoracolumbar fracture. Methods From December 2007 to December 2009, 45 thoracolumbar fracture patients who underwent computed radiology (CR) and MSCT were recruited. There were 32 males and 13 females with a mean age of 48 years (range, 24-63 years), including 36 simple compression fractures and 9 burst fractures. The fracture locations were T11 in 6 cases, T12 in 11 cases, L1 in 20 cases, and L2 in 8 cases. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 25 cases, by falling from height in 12 cases, and by others in 8 cases. The imaging examination was performed after 2 hours to 7 days of injury in 22 cases and after more than 7 days in 23 cases. The KA was measured on the lateral X-ray films of CR and MPR by two observers, then the measurements were done again after three weeks. The data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The average KA values on CR by two observers were (20.75 +/- 8.31)degrees and (22.49 +/- 9.07)degrees, respectively; showing significant difference (P < 0.05), and the correlation was good (r = 0.882, P < 0.05). The average KA values on MPR by two observers were (16.65 +/- 8.62)degrees and (17.08 +/- 7.88)degrees, respectively, showing no significant difference (P > 0.05), the correlation was excellent (r = 0.976, P < 0.05). The average KA values on CR and MPR were (21.61 +/- 8.43)degrees and (16.87 +/- 8.20)degrees, respectively; showing significant difference (P < 0.05), the correlation was good (r = 0.852, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: It is more feasible and reliable in measuring the KA on MRP of MSCT than CR, but the value is larger on CR.