СOMPARABILITY STUDY OF THE X-RAY AND COMPUTER OPTICAL TOPOGRAPHY ESTIMATES OF SPINAL DEFORMITY ANGLES AT EARLY SCOLIOSIS STAGES

Abstract

Objective. To investigate the comparability of the topographic angle of lateral asymmetry and radiographic Cobb angle at early stages of idiopathic scoliosis.

Material and Methods. The study included 50 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years (mean age 12.98 ± 3.51; 26 boys, 24 girls) with suspected scoliosis. The average Cobb angle of the primary curve was 9.90 ± 5.74° (range: 2.47° to 32.32°). Thirty two patients had grade I deformity, 17 - grade II, and 1 - grade III (according to V.D. Chaklin’s classification).

Results. The mean value of the difference between the angle of lateral asymmetry and Cobb angle was -0.092°, i.e. topographic angle provides an unbiased estimate of the scoliosis. The standard deviation of the difference between the angle of lateral asymmetry and Cobb angle was 1.013°, i.e. topographical angle gives the exact magnitude of scoliosis. The maximum difference between the angle of lateral asymmetry and Cobb angle ranged from -2.45° to +2.19°. Pearson’s correlation between the angle of lateral asymmetry and Cobb angle was 0.985.

Conclusion. Six-year experience in the operation of the TODP system in children’s polyclinic No. 110 in Moscow showed that the method of computer optical topography provides high accuracy in diagnosing early stages of scoliosis and can significantly reduce the need for X-ray examination of patients for primary diagnosis defining and dynamic observations.