Table 2 The k values of interobserver agreement for the qualitative analysis.

Distortion

Axial

0.75

0.88

0.86

Sagittal

0.61

0.75

0.74

Signal pile-up

Axial

0.81

0.74

0.75

Sagittal

0.63

0.53

0.7

Visualization of anatomic structure

Axial

Anterior subarachnoid space

1

1

1

Spinal cord

0.73

0.73

0.57

Neutral foramina

0.66

0.76

0.66

Anterior paravertebral soft tissue

0.5

0.54

0.69

Sagittal

Anterior subarachnoid space

0.79

0.89

0.89

Spinal cord

0.62

0.83

0.57

Neutral foramina

0.92

0.92

0.92

Anterior paravertebral soft tissue

0.87

0.83

0.78

Upper vertebral body

0.67

054

0.57

Lower vertebral body

0.69

0.81

0.68

Clinical usefulness

Axial

Spinal cord compression in operated level

0.54

0.87

0.65

Nerve root compression in operated level

0.49

0.68

0.55

Spinal cord signal change

0.55

0.6

0.7

Sagittal

Spinal cord compression in operated level

0.71

0.79

0.83

Nerve root compression in operated level

0.87

0.95

0.82

Disc herniation or bulging in the adjacent disc level

0.79

0.77

0.78

Spinal cord signal change

0.8

0.86

0.86