Compston J E, Vedi S, Stellon A J
Calcif Tissue Int. 1986 Feb;38(2):67-70. doi: 10.1007/BF02556831.
Inter-observer variation has been examined for a number of histomorphometric indices in 20 normal human iliac crest biopsies. Quantitation was performed using an eye-piece graticule and eye-piece micrometer. The same sections were examined by two observers and the methodology was identical. Intra-observer variation was also assessed. Significant inter-observer differences were found for the measurement of total trabecular bone volume, osteoid volume and surface, double plus single and double tetracycline labeled surfaces, and the mean osteoid seam width. The percentage variance due to inter-observer variation was highest for osteoid surface and volume, total resorption surface, and mean osteoid seam width. Intra-observer variation in both observers was small. We conclude that a large inter-observer variation may occur in the measurement of a number of histomorphometric indices, even when section preparation and methodology are identical. Caution should be used in basing the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease on strictly defined control data from other observers, particularly when this has been obtained from centers where the effects of inter-observer variation may be magnified by differences in methodology.
对20例正常人类髂嵴活检组织的一些组织形态计量学指标进行了观察者间变异的研究。使用目镜测微尺和目镜测微计进行定量分析。两名观察者检查相同的切片，方法相同。同时评估了观察者内变异。在小梁骨总体积、类骨质体积和表面、双标记加单标记和双四环素标记表面以及类骨质缝平均宽度的测量中发现了显著的观察者间差异。观察者间变异导致的百分比差异在类骨质表面和体积、总吸收表面以及类骨质缝平均宽度方面最高。两名观察者的观察者内变异都很小。我们得出结论，即使切片制备和方法相同，在一些组织形态计量学指标的测量中也可能出现较大的观察者间变异。在基于其他观察者严格定义对照数据诊断代谢性骨病时应谨慎，尤其是当这些数据来自不同方法可能会放大观察者间变异影响的中心时。
