Quantification of Joint Space Width Difference on Radiography Via Phase-Only Correlation (POC) Analysis: a Phantom Study Comparing with Various Tomographical Modalities Using Conventional Margin-Contouring

Several visual scoring methods are currently used to assess progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on radiography. However, they are limited by its subjectivity and insufficient sensitivity. We have developed an original measurement system which uses a technique called phase-only correlation (POC). The purpose of this study is to validate the system by using a phantom simulating the joint of RA patients.

A micrometer measurement apparatus that can adjust arbitrary joint space width (JSW) in a phantom joint was developed to define true JSW. The phantom was scanned with radiography, 320 multi detector CT (MDCT), high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT), cone beam CT (CBCT), and tomosynthesis. The width was adjusted to the average size of a women’s metacarpophalangeal joint, from 1.2 to 2.2 mm with increments of 0.1 mm and 0.01 mm. Radiographical images were analyzed by the POC-based system and manual method, and images from various tomographical modalities were measured via the automatic margin detection method. Correlation coefficients between true JSW difference and measured JSW difference were all strong at 0.1 mm intervals with radiography (POC-based system and manual method), CBCT, 320MDCT, HR-pQCT, and tomosynthesis. At 0.01 mm intervals, radiography (POC-based system), 320MDCT, and HR-pQCT had strong correlations, while radiography (manual method) and CBCT had low correlations, and tomosynthesis had no statistically significant correlation. The smallest detectable changes for radiography (POC-based system), radiography (manual method), 320MDCT, HR-pQCT, CBCT, and tomosynthesis were 0.020 mm, 0.041 mm, 0.076 mm, 0.077 mm, 0.057 mm, and 0.087 mm, respectively. We conclude that radiography analyzed with the POC-based system might sensitively detect minute joint space changes of the finger joint.