Detection of progressive idiopathic scoliosis during growth using back surface topography: a prospective study of 100 patients.

UNLABELLED: The progression of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is typically monitored via regular radiographic follow-up. The Cobb angle (as measured on whole-spine radiographs) is considered as the gold standard in scoliosis monitoring.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of back surface topography parameters, with a view to detecting changes in the Cobb angle.

PATIENT AND METHOD: One hundred patients (mean age: 13.3) with Cobb angles greater than 10 degrees were included. Topographic parameters were measured in a standard position and in a position with hunched shoulders. Gibbosities and spinal curvatures were evaluated.

RESULTS

An increase of more than 2 degrees in any one gibbosity or in the sum of the gibbosities (in either of the two examination positions) enabled the detection of a five-degree increase in the Cobb angle with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 50%.

CONCLUSION

If the present results are confirmed by other studies, analysis with back surface topography parameters may reduce the number of X-ray examinations required to detect increases in the Cobb angle.