Evaluation of a semi-automated software program for the identification of vertebral fractures in children

Highlights: • SpineAnalyzer (Optasia Medical, Cheadle, UK) has low observer agreement when used independently by five observers to diagnose vertebral fractures (VF) in children. • The six-point approach based on the Genant classification used by the software is not sufficiently sensitive for VF diagnosis in children. • It may be that the placing of more than six points is required to accurately represent vertebral morphometry in children. • Development of specific paediatric software and normative values (incorporating age-related physiological variation in children) is required. To assess observer reliability and diagnostic accuracy in children, of a semi-automated six-point technique developed for vertebral fracture (VF) diagnosis in adults, which records percentage loss of vertebral body height.