| Summary: | BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate interand
intra-observer reproducibility of Mason Johnston
classification of radial head fractures in adults.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty radiographic images of radial head fractures (anteroposterior and lateral views) from adult
patients were examined by five professionals in the field of
Orthopaedics and Traumatology, including an expert
member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopaedics, an
experienced orthopaedic surgeon specialising in the elbow
and shoulder, and three resident physicians (one each in the
1st, 2nd and 3rd years of residency at an Orthopaedics and
Trauma unit). Inter- and intra-observer concordances were
assessed using the kappa coefficient of agreement (κ).
RESULTS: The intra-observer reproducibility of the Mason
Johnston classification system ranged from moderate to
good whilst the inter-observer agreement varied from weak
to good.
CONCLUSION: The Mason Johnston´s classification
system, although used throughout the world, possesses
questionable reproducibility with respect to the assessment
of radial head fractures. The level of professional expertise
did not influence the outcome of the study.
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