Table 3.
CSA estimates and inter-scanner repeatability of CSA across scanner sites using different software methods at different cord levels for brain or SC MRI.
| CSA Inter-scanner repeatability (6 scanners, 3 repeats) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software method | Vertebral level | N |
CSA
Mean ± SDsites [mm2] |
MMOD
max. abs. Δscans [mm2] |
CV
[%] |
|
| Cord MRI | SCT | C1–C2 | 18 | 67.63 ± 1.5 | 1.39 | 1.1 |
| NQL | C1–C2 | 18 | 75.35 ± 0.81 | 1.32 | 0.9 | |
| ASM | C1–C2 | 18 | 75.96 ± 0.85 | 0.91 | 0.6 | |
| SCT | C2/3 | 17 | 67.25 ± 1.97 | 1.87 | 1.6 | |
| NQL | C2/3 | 18 | 69.43 ± 0.95 | 1.55 | 1.2 | |
| ASM | C2/3 | 18 | 73.47 ± 2.1 | 3.44 | 2.6 | |
| SCT | C1–C7 | 15 | 68.41 ± 2.55 | 1.27 | 1.0 | |
| NQL | C1–C7 | 15 | 74.54 ± 0.6 | 0.58 | 0.4 | |
| ASM | C1–C7 | 15 | 72.17 ± 0.64 | 0.90 | 0.6 | |
| Brain MRI | SCT | C1–C2 | 18 | 65.88 ± 1.77 | 1.98 | 1.6 |
| NQL | C1–C2 | 18 | 74.48 ± 1.3 | 1.07 | 0.8 | |
| ASM | C1–C2 | 18 | 74.66 ± 1.34 | 1.01 | 0.7 | |
| SCT | C2/3 | 17 | 66.56 ± 1.99 | 2.20 | 2.0 | |
| NQL | C2/3 | 18 | 67.83 ± 2.16 | 3.11 | 2.6 | |
| ASM | C2/3 | 18 | 72.08 ± 2.19 | 3.63 | 2.5 | |
CSA = mean ± SD averaged across all repetitions and all sites, avg. max. abs. Δscans = mean maximum observed difference (MMOD), bold: lowest CV and MMOD).
CSA, cross-sectional area; MMOD, mean maximum observed difference; CV, coefficient of variation; SCT, Spinal Cord Toolbox; NQL, NeuroQLab; ASM, Active Surface Method.