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

Abstract

Study DesignOptical cross-sectional study.PurposeTo 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 LiteratureThe 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.MethodsPatients 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.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsAlthough 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.

Moiré topography as a screening and diagnostic tool—A systematic review

“…Seven studies compared MT method to radiographic Cobb angle [ 24 , 25 , 27 – 31 ] and one study compared MT method to scoliometer [ 26 ]. Studies investigated validity by Spearmen correlation [ 24 ], or The False-Positive Rate [ 25 ], Positive Predictive Value [ 26 , 27 , 30 , 31 ], Negative Predictive Value [ 26 , 30 ], the sensitivity and the specificity [ 26 , 30 ] and by Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient [ 29 , 30 ]. Three studies investigated both validity and reliability [ 26 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Studies investigated validity by Spearmen correlation [ 24 ], or The False-Positive Rate [ 25 ], Positive Predictive Value [ 26 , 27 , 30 , 31 ], Negative Predictive Value [ 26 , 30 ], the sensitivity and the specificity [ 26 , 30 ] and by Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient [ 29 , 30 ]. Three studies investigated both validity and reliability [ 26 , 29 , 30 ]. The repeatability of the MT examination was assessed based on the value of intraobserver and interobserver error [ 26 ] and Interclass Correlation Index [ 28 , 30 ].…”

Decreased Vertical Trunk Inclination Angle and Pelvic Inclination as the Result of Mid-High-Heeled Footwear on Static Posture Parameters in Asymptomatic Young Adult Women

“…Various parameters and indexes are drawn from the surface-topography and radiographic data that may confuse the interpretation of the results. Surface topography is usually used to detect or monitor scoliosis deformities [25,42,49,57,67,82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96], few publications address the physiological curvatures of the spine, lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis [26,42,48,64,82,97,98,99,100]. Radiographic measurements of SVA, PT, LL, SS, or PI are based on radiographic points assessed on the full spine radiograms [72], which are inaccessible in surface measurements.…”

“…The exclusion criterion was based on the SHS parameter. Although this parameter is well established in Surface Topography (ST) measurements [26,27,60,65,66,67,68], literature does not provide specific cut-off values for faulty posture. Thus, subjects with outlier values of the SHS distribution in any of the measurements were suspected of having a faulty posture and were excluded from the study.…”

“…Weitkunat et al [8] used two standing lateral radiographs of the whole body taken using a biplanar low-dose radiographic imaging system (EOS Imaging, Paris, France). Comparing radiological methods and surface topography is a big challenge due to the differences in the imaged structures [25,26,27]. The unified interpretation of the results for various methods remains difficult.…”