Due to the danger of repeated exposure to X-rays for patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), reducing the number of radiographs is necessary. By using Surface Topography (ST), trunk asymmetry evaluation could be used. The number of radiographs required can be reduced by 30% when the radio is used only for patients with worsening ST.
Hypothesis: ST is a reliable technique for deformity monitoring in AIS.
Design: Observational prospective study.
Introduction: The risk of curve progression in AIS is high during a growth spurt and necessitates regular radiographic follow-up, despite the adverse effects of repeated exposure to X-rays.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine a simple and reproducible parameter for deformity monitoring using ST in AIS patients.
Material and methods: Consecutive AIS patients with a Cobb angle between 10° and 40° were included. Every 6 months, X-ray and ST acquisitions were performed. Radiographic parameters and the ribs prominence curve calculated from ST were collected. This curve was deduced from the axial rotation of the 100 axial sections of the trunk. We analyzed correlations between the evolution of Cobb angle and the curve.
Results: 123 patients were included, 111 girls, 12 boys, mean age 12 years. The measurement of the curve had a good reproducibility (ICC: 0.816). ST differentiated patients with or without increased Cobb. (p = 0.0294).
Conclusion: ST is useful for monitoring AIS. This device could reduce the number of radiographs by 30%.
Level of evidence: II.
Keywords: Radioprotection; Scoliosis; Surface topography.
© 2021. Scoliosis Research Society.