The reliability of the traditional Cobb angle index, which at present exhibits a wide range of reported values, was determined in this study and amounted to a within subject error of +/-4.3 degrees and a between subject error of +/-4.9 degrees. An attempt to pinpoint the source of this variability by investigating the influence of choice of end vertebrae proved inconclusive. The reliability of a computer assisted Cobb angle index, developed to improve measurement accuracy, was also examined and an estimated within subject error of +/-1.5 degrees and a between subject error of +/-1.6 degrees obtained. A comparison of the traditional and computer assisted methods indicates a high correlation between the Cobb angle derived using the two methods when measuring like curves and an improved reliability obtained by the computer method. Such an improvement is worth implementing clinically but of course the availability of a computer and digitizer and a little extra time for an operator to input the X-ray coordinates may be a barrier to its general use.

Download full-text PDF

Source

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cobb angle
16
subject error
16
computer assisted
12
angle derived
8
traditional computer
8
assisted methods
8
degrees subject
8
reliability computer
8
computer
5
reliability
4

Similar Publications

A comparative study of curve flexibility assessment in supine traction, push-prone and push-prone traction radiographs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Spine Deform

January 2025

Spine Unit, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Institute of Orthopedics, Lerdsin Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, 190 Silom Road, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand.

Study Design: A prospective comparative study.

Objectives: To compare the curve flexibility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using supine traction push-prone and push-prone traction radiographs and to determine which method is more effective in predicting the postsurgical correction.

Background: Preserving spinal motion is one of the critical objectives in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK) is a frequently reported spinal deformity in achondroplasia, which in combination with the characteristic narrow spinal canal in achondroplasia predisposes for symptomatic spinal stenosis. There is however no consensus on the optimal treatment, due to limited data on diagnostic criteria, the natural development and the prevalence of TLK.

Research Question: This study aims to assess the prevalence, natural development, and diagnostic criteria for pathological TLK in individuals with achondroplasia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of skip titanium plates combined with adjacent spinous process suture suspension versus continuous titanium plate fixation in cervical laminoplasty.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 125 patients (62 men, 63 women, average age 60.9 ± 10.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Analysis of MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) scores in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

World Neurosurg

January 2025

Department of Radiology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200071, P.R. China.

Introduction: Degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) often causes various issues such as neural symptoms and osteoporosis (OP). Vertebral bone quality (VBQ) is a crucial factor that surgeons take into consider prior to surgery. However, little attention has been given to the use of VBQ in evaluating vertebral bone mass in DLS patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Changes in the shape of the lumbar curve during growth : a geometric morphometric approach.

Bone Joint Res

January 2025

Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Aims: The development of lumbar lordosis has been traditionally examined using angular measurements of the spine to reflect its shape. While studies agree regarding the increase in the angles during growth, the growth rate is understudied, and sexual dimorphism is debated. In this study, we used a novel method to estimate the shape of the lumbar curve (LC) using the landmark-based geometric morphometric method to explore changes in LC during growth, examine the effect of size and sex on LC shape, and examine the associations between angular measurements and shape.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!