Objective

The scoliosis follow up is monitored by whole-spine radiographs with the Cobb angle measuring (Gold Standard). This technique is radiant, and could result from radiation-induced cancers (Ronckers et al., 2010). New monitoring methods could be needed.

We have analyzed possible link between measured parameters by the optical system BIOMODTM-L, and (1) thoracic Cobb angle and (2) clinical thoracic humps (measured by scoliometer).

Material/patients and methods

Forty-four scoliosis patients (9 males, mean age 12.77 years) having had a surface topography analysis associated with a clinical humps analysis and/or a measure of Cobb angle during 3 years in rehabilitation center of Angers, France were included. The mean Cobb angle was 34.3° (± 14.54). The mean thoracic hump was 11,6 cm (± 11.58). The correlation was studied by the r Pearson coefficient.

Results

Finally, 106 radiological examinations and 64 clinical examinations were analyzed. Significant correlations with the Cobb angle were the thoracic sinuosity (values 101, r = 0.7063; R ² = 0.4988, P < 0.001), the right dimple (99 values, r = 0, 2527; R ² = 0.06387, P = 0.0058), the shoulders imbalance (105 values, r = 0.2433; R ² = 0.0592, P = 0.0062) and the pelvic imbalance (106 values, r = −0.2432; R ² = 0.05917, P = 0.006). Clinical measure of thoracic hump was significantly correlated with the thoracic sinuosity (61 values, r = 0.4317; R ² = 0.1864; P < 0.0001), the right dimple (61 values, r = 0.3168; R ² = 0.1003; P = 0.0064) and the pelvic imbalance (64 values, r = 0.2546; R ² = 0.06481, P = 0.0212).

Discussion–Conclusion

Considering the link between Cobb angle and surface topography analysis BIOMODTM-L, it is right to wonder if scoliosis patients could be followed by this technique and thus reduce the number of the X-ray examinations.