COMPUTER OPTICAL TOPOGRAPHY: VARIABILITY OF RESULTS IN PATIENTS WITH SCOLIOSIS EXAMINED IN A NATURAL POSE

Abstract

Objective. To study the influence which postural sway of a scoliosis patient holding natural pose without fixation exerts on the accuracy of lateral asymmetry angle estimation and other topographic parameters.

Material and Methods. The study included six patients with x-ray confirmed grade I–III structural scoliosis. Patients were examined in a natural pose with labeling using TODP system (Optical Topograph for Spinal Deformities) by means of tenshot series with 2 sec interval.

Results. Mean values and standard deviations of main topographic parameters were calculated for each patient. It was found that trunk movements have a random and aperiodic nature and are individual for each patient. Dispersion of basic topographic parameters in patients was greater than the instrumental error of TODP system and absolutely depended on stability of patient’s pose. However, even for patients with unstable pose, maximal standard deviation of lateral asymmetry angle for main scoliotic curve was 1.8°, which is quite acceptable for clinic practice.

Conclusion. Computer optical topography provides an acceptable accuracy of lateral asymmetry angle estimation in patients with structural scoliosis examined in a natural pose without fixation in case of correct labeling of the anatomical landmarks performed.