Accuracy and reproducibility of a newly developed tool for volume measurements of the arm using 3D stereophotogrammetry

Publication date: Available online 5 August 2017
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): A.C. Verhulst, T.S. Wesselius, H.H. Glas, R.D. Vreeken, D.J.O. Ulrich, T.J.J. Maal
BackgroundLymph edema of the arm is a common complication after breast cancer treatment. To evaluate lymph edema volume and treatment outcome, an easy to use, objective quantification method of arm volume is necessary. Most of the times, water displacement is used to measure arm volume, as it is an easy and robust method that can be performed at any place with some simple equipment. However, when using water displacement, no exact localization of volume differences can be seen. To accurately measure hand and forearm volume separately, an in house developed device was made for accurate landmark placement.MethodAn in house developed measurement tool was used to place artificial landmarks proximal of the wrist crease on ten healthy subjects. 3D images of the hand and forearm were acquired, and volume measurements of the hand and forearm were performed. Measurement were repeated to investigate the intra- and interrater variability caused by the landmark placement.ResultMeasuring volume of the hand and forearm while making use of artificial placed landmarks turned out to be a highly reproducible, quick and easy procedure. Both intra- and interrater variability showed a high reproducibility, both for hand (ICC = 0.96 and 0.98 respectively)and forearm (ICC = 0.99 and 0.99 respectively) volumes.ConclusionMeasuring volume of the hand and forearm while making use of artificial placed landmarks turned out to be a highly reproducible, quick and easy procedure. Using this device makes it possible to analyze the localization of lymphedema in a more detailed way.



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