Frontiers in Medicine (Nov 2023)

Application of the #Enzian classification for endometriosis on MRI: prospective evaluation of inter- and intraobserver agreement

  • Sebastian Harth,
  • Hasan Emin Kaya,
  • Felix Zeppernick,
  • Ivo Meinhold-Heerlein,
  • Jörg Keckstein,
  • Jörg Keckstein,
  • Jörg Keckstein,
  • Selcuk Murat Yildiz,
  • Emina Nurkan,
  • Gabriele Anja Krombach,
  • Fritz Christian Roller

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1303593
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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ObjectivesThe purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the inter- and intraobserver variability of the updated #Enzian classification of endometriosis on MRI and to evaluate the influence of reader experience on interobserver concordance.MethodsThis was a prospective single-center study. All patients were included who received an MRI of the pelvis for evaluation of endometriosis between March and July 2023 and who have provided written informed consent. Images were reviewed independently for endometriosis by three radiologists, utilizing the MRI-applicable categories of the #Enzian classification. Two radiologists had experience in pelvic MRI and endometriosis imaging. One radiologist had no specific experience in pelvic MRI and received a one-hour briefing beforehand.ResultsFifty consecutive patients (mean age, 34.9 years ±8.6 [standard deviation]) were prospectively evaluated. Interobserver agreement was excellent for diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (Fleiss’ kappa: 0.89; 95% CI 0.73–1.00; p < 0.001) and endometriomas (Fleiss’ kappa: 0.93; 95% CI 0.77–1.00; p < 0.001). For the experienced readers, interobserver agreement in the assessment of compartments A, B and C was excellent (κw ranging from 0.84; 95% CI 0.71–0.97; p < 0.001 to 0.89; 95% CI 0.82–0.97; p < 0.001). For the pairings of the experienced readers to the reader without specific experience in pelvic MRI, agreement was substantial to excellent (κw ranging from 0.64; 95% CI 0.44–0.85; p < 0.001 to 0.91; 95% CI 0.84–0.98; p < 0.001). Intraobserver variability was excellent for compartments A, B and C (κw ranging from 0.85; 95% CI 0.73–0.96; p < 0.001 to 0.95; 95% CI 0.89–1.00; p < 0.001).ConclusionWith sufficient experience, the #Enzian classification enables the achievement of excellent inter- and intraobserver agreement in MRI-based diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis and endometriomas.

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