超音波画像診断装置を用いた胸郭出口における血管面積測定の検者内・検者間信頼性

Interrater and Intrarater Reliability of Ultrasonographic Measurements of Arterial Cross-sectional Area in the Thoracic Outlet

　背景：本研究の目的は，超音波画像診断装置を用いて胸郭出口における血管面積計測を行い，検者内・検者間信頼性を検討することである．

　対象と方法：健常男性9名を対象とし，端座位・上肢下垂位で斜角筋間三角，肋鎖間げき，小胸筋深部における鎖骨下動脈および腋窩動脈の血管面積を超音波診断装置で計測し，検者2名による級内相関係数(ICC)を算出した．

　結果：検者内信頼性［ICC(1,1)］および検者間信頼性［ICC(2,1)］ともに信頼係数は0.7以上だった．

　まとめ：本法は胸郭出口症候群における症状誘発部位を特定するための有用なツールとなりうる．

　Background:The purpose of this study was to assess the interrater and intrarater reliability of ultrasonographic measurements of the arterial cross-sectional area in the thoracic outlet.

　Methods:The arterial cross-sectional area of nine healthy male volunteers seated with arms at their side was evaluated by ultrasonography in three places:the interscalene triangle, the costoclavicular space, and the coracopectoral tunnel.　Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the measurements.

　Results:The ICC(1,1) for intrarater reliability and the ICC(2,1) for interrater reliability were rated as substantial to almost perfect for all measurements and with confidence coefficients greater than 0.7.

　Conclusions:Ultrasonographic measurements of arterial cross-sectional areas can be used to identify the lesions responsible for the thoracic outlet syndrome.