Asian Spine J.  2017 Apr;11(2):219-229. 10.4184/asj.2017.11.2.219.

Correlation between Topographic Parameters Obtained by Back Surface Topography Based on Structured Light and Radiographic Variables in the Assessment of Back Morphology in Young Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis

• Pino-Almero L
• Mínguez-Rey MF
• Cibrián-Ortiz de Anda RM
• Salvador-Palmer MR
• Sentamans-Segarra S

• KMID: 2377755
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/asj.2017.11.2.219

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Optical cross-sectional study. PURPOSE: To study the correlation between asymmetry of the back (measured by means of surface topography) and deformity of the spine (quantified by the Cobb angle). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The Cobb angle is considered the gold standard in diagnosis and follow-up of scoliosis but does not correctly characterize the three-dimensional deformity of scoliosis. Furthermore, the exposure to ionizing radiation may cause harmful effects particularly during the growth stage, including breast cancer and other tumors.
METHODS
Patients aged 13.15±1.96 years (range, 7-17 years; n=88) with Cobb angle greater than 10° were evaluated with X-rays and our back surface topography method through three variables: axial plane (DHOPI), coronal plane (POTSI), and profile plane (PC). Pearson's correlation was applied to determine the correlation between topographic and radiographic variables. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni correction were used to compare groups with different grades of scoliosis. Significance was set at p<0.01 and, in some cases, at p<0.05.
RESULTS
We detected a positive, statistically significant correlation between Cobb angle with DHOPI (r=0.810) and POTSI (r=0.629) and between PC variables with thoracic kyphosis angle (r=0.453) and lordosis lumbar angle (r=0.275). In addition, we found statistically significant differences for DHOPI and POTSI variables according to the grade of scoliosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the back surface topography method cannot substitute for radiographs in the diagnosis of scoliosis, correlations between radiographic and topographic parameters suggest that it offers additional quantitative data that may complement radiologic study.

Keyword

Spinal curvatures; Scoliosis; Kyphosis; Moiré topography; Diagnosis, computer-assisted

MeSH Terms

Animals
Breast Neoplasms
Complement System Proteins
Congenital Abnormalities
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Kyphosis
Lordosis
Methods
Radiation, Ionizing
Scoliosis*
Spinal Curvatures
Spine
Complement System Proteins