Verification of inter and intraoperator agreement in radiographic control of periapical injuries

Abstract

This study verified the inter and intraoperator agreement in radiographic evaluation of the periapical lesions. The material was consisted of 114 periapical radiographs provenient from 57 endodontic treatments accomplished at FOP/UPE. An initial or final radiograph and control radiograph, made two years after the end of the treatment, were selected. Three endodontists, three radiologists and three practitioner surgeon dentists were questioned to evaluate the pairs of radiographs as for their evolution on periapical lesions. The same procedure was repeated after one month with the same radiographs. These analysis were accomplished under standardized conditions of interpretation. It was seen that among the endodontists and inter-examiners the agreement varied from 59,6% to 62,3%, an average of 60,5% (Kappa = 0,48); among the radiologists varied from 50,0% to 64,0%, an average of 55,0% (Kappa = 0,42); and among the practitioners, varied from 43,0% to 57,9%, an average of 52,6% (Kappa = 0,39). When the intra-examiners agreement was checked, it was seen that among the endodontists, the agreement varied from 63,2% to 86,0%, an average of 74,3% (Kappa = 0,66). In the group of radiologists, it varied from 66,7% to 73,7%, an average of 69,6 (Kappa = 0,60). In the group of practitioners, the variation was from 56,1% to 73,7%, an average of 64,3% (Kappa = 0,54). The better inter and intraperator agreement was obtained from the group of endodontists, whereas among the practitioners the results were less satisfactory. Key words: Endodontics. Periapical radiography. Periapical pathology. Radiographic evaluation. Variations among observers.