A new system for measuring three-dimensional back shape in scoliosis

Abstract

The aim of this work was to develop a low-cost automated system to measure the three-dimensional shape of the back in patients with scoliosis. The resulting system uses structured light to illuminate a patient's back from an angle while a digital photograph is taken. The height of the surface is calculated using Fourier transform profilometry with an accuracy of ±1 mm. The surface is related to body axes using bony landmarks on the back that have been palpated and marked with small coloured stickers prior to photographing. Clinical parameters are calculated automatically and presented to the user on a monitor and as a printed report. All data are stored in a database. The database can be interrogated and successive measurements plotted for monitoring the deformity changes. The system developed uses inexpensive hardware and open source software. Accurate surface topography can help the clinician to measure spinal deformity at baseline and monitor changes over time. It can help the patients and their families to assess deformity. Above all it reduces the dependence on serial radiography and reduces radiation exposure when monitoring spinal deformity.

Answer to the second letter to the Editor of J. Padulo et al. concerning: “vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography” by Mangone M, Raimondi P, Paoloni M, Pellanera S, Di MA, Di RS, Vanadia M, Dimaggio M, Murgia M, Santilli V (2013) Eur Spine J 22:367–371

“…We believe that the references of the author's letter are not appropriate. According to cited articles we did not find confirm about his comments [3,4].…”

Métodos não invasivos de avaliação postural da escoliose: Uma revisão sistemática

“…O ISIS2 ainda necessita marcação manual dos pontos anatómicos, mas permite avaliação rápida e fácil. No entanto, como os demais sistemas tridimensionais, esse método necessita de um operador experiente (Berryman, Pynsent, Fairbank, & Disney, 2008). Ao analisar as questões referente à validade do sistema ISIS2, Zubovic et al (2008) não encontraram nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os ângulos do ISIS2 e os ângulos Cobb.…”

“…Ao analisar as questões referente à validade do sistema ISIS2, Zubovic et al (2008) não encontraram nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os ângulos do ISIS2 e os ângulos Cobb. Do mesmo modo, Berryman et al (2008) também encontraram boa comparação entre os resultados do sistema ISIS2 e os ângulos Cobb. Entretanto, estes resultados não apresentam validade, pois a concordância não foi apresentada e os resultados foram referentes a apenas dois sujeitos, o que não permite a extrapolação desses resultados.…”

Assessment of Vert-3D repeatability and reproducibility for evaluating the scoliosis of children with different nutritional profiles

“…However, the patient's exposure to a large amount of radiation constitutes a great disadvantage when securing radiographs, especially in cases with an early-onset of postural changes. Furthermore, X-ray examinations are not capable of measuring the asymmetry of the trunk, which often has the greatest importance for the patient rather than the radiographic position of the spinal column itself (3).…”