Journal Article

Reliability assessment of the upper urinary tract dilation grading system based on magnetic resonance urography in patients with neurogenic bladder

Li, Xing, Wang, Xuesheng, Zhou, Zhonghan, Liao, Limin, Liu, Qinggang, Zhao, Hui, Deng, Han, Gao, Yi, Jing, Huafang, Li, Xunhua

2022

Overview

Background To assess the inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of the magnetic resonance urography (MRU)—upper urinary tract dilation (UUTD) grading system. Methods A total of 40 patients with a diagnosis of NB were enrolled in this study. The images were assembled in an electronic presentation randomly. The presentations were reviewed and graded by 4 junior and 4 senior urologists. One week later, the images were randomized again and reassessed. The inter-observer reliability was estimated by Kendall’s coefficient of concordance and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and the intra-observer reliability was estimated by weighted Cohen’s kappa. Results The inter-observer reliability strength was excellent for all urologists, with the ICC value of 0.939 (0.908–0.963) and Kendall’s W value of 0.967. The highest agreement was shown in Grade 4 at 92.50%, and the lowest in Grade 2 at 82.14%. All disagreements were within one grade of difference. Moreover, the Intra-observer reliability was excellent, with the weighted kappa value ranging from 0.904 to 0.954. Conclusions The inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of this novel MRU-UUTD grading system is confirmed, providing adequate evidence for broader clinical application.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Agreements / Bladder / Bladder diseases / Diagnosis / Discrimination / Hydronephrosis / Internal Medicine / Magnetic resonance imaging / Magnetic resonance urography / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Neurogenic bladder / Observational studies / Patients / Reliability / Ultrasonic imaging / Upper urinary tract dilation / Urinary tract / Urogenital system / Urography / Urology