OBJECTIVE:
To compare two different methods for measuring intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) volume: the ellipse volume (called ABC/2), and the software-aided planimetric.
METHODS:
Four observers evaluated 20 brain computed tomography (CT) scans with spontaneous ICH. Each professional measured the volume using the ABC/2 and the planimetric methods. The average volumes were obtained, and the intra- and inter-rater variability was determined.
RESULTS:
There is an absolute 2.24 cm3 3. Thom T, Haase N, Rosamond W, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics - 2006 update: A report from the american heart association statistics committee and stroke statistics subcommittee. Circulation 2006;113:85-151.average difference between both methodologies. Volumes yielded by the ABC/2 method were as much as 14.9% smaller than by the planimetric one. An intra-observer variability rate of 0.46% was found for the planimetric method and 0.18% for the ABC/2. The inter-observer rates were 1.69 and 1.11% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
Both methods are reproducible. The ABC/2 yielded hemorrhage volumes as much as 14.9% smaller than those measured using the planimetric methodology.
cerebral hemorrhage; tomography; evaluation studies