Interobserver variability of ultrasound parameters in portal hypertension

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2010 Jul;105(4):409-13. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000400010.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess interobserver agreement of ultrasound parameters for portal hypertension in hepatosplenic mansonic schistosomiasis. Spleen size, diameter of the portal, splenic and superior mesenteric veins and presence of thrombosis and cavernous transformation were determined by three radiologists in blinded and independent fashion in 30 patients. Interobserver agreement was measured by the kappa index and intraclass correlation coefficient. Interobserver agreement was considered substantial (kappa = 0.714-0.795) for portal vein thrombosis and perfect (kappa = 1) for cavernous transformation. Interobserver agreement measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent for longitudinal diameter of the spleen (r = 0.828-0.869) and splenic index (r = 0.816-0.905) and varied from fair to almost perfect for diameter of the portal (r = 0.622-0.675), splenic (r = 0.573-0.913) and superior mesenteric (r = 0.525-0.607) veins. According to the results, ultrasound is a highly reproducible method for the main morphological parameters of portal hypertension in schistosomiasis patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hypertension, Portal / etiology
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Organ Size
  • Portal System / parasitology
  • Portal System / ultrastructure*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnostic imaging*
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Splenic Diseases / parasitology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Venous Thrombosis / parasitology