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Quantifier variables of the back surface deformity obtained with a noninvasive structured light method: evaluation of their usefulness in idiopathic scoliosis diagnosis

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Abstract

New noninvasive techniques, amongst them structured light methods, have been applied to study rachis deformities, providing a way to evaluate external back deformities in the three planes of space. These methods are aimed at reducing the number of radiographic examinations necessary to diagnose and follow-up patients with scoliosis. By projecting a grid over the patient’s back, the corresponding software for image treatment provides a topography of the back in a color or gray scale. Visual inspection of back topographic images using this method immediately provides information about back deformity, but it is important to determine quantifier variables of the deformity to establish diagnostic criteria. In this paper, two topographic variables [deformity in the axial plane index (DAPI) and posterior trunk symmetry index (POTSI)] that quantify deformity in two different planes are analyzed. Although other authors have reported the POTSI variable, the DAPI variable proposed in this paper is innovative. The upper normality limit of these variables in a nonpathological group was determined. These two variables have different and complementary diagnostic characteristics, therefore we devised a combined diagnostic criterion: cases with normal DAPI and POTSI (DAPI ≤ 3.9% and POTSI ≤ 27.5%) were diagnosed as nonpathologic, but cases with high DAPI or POTSI were diagnosed as pathologic. When we used this criterion to analyze all the cases in the sample (56 nonpathologic and 30 with idiopathic scoliosis), we obtained 76.6% sensitivity, 91% specificity, and a positive predictive value of 82%. The interobserver, intraobserver, and interassay variability were studied by determining the variation coefficient. There was good correlation between topographic variables (DAPI and POTSI) and clinical variables (Cobb’s angle and vertebral rotation angle).

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grant PI 030735 from the Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. This study complies with the current laws of Spain and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Clinic University Hospital of Valencia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Valencia, Spain

    María Fe Mínguez, Manuel Laguía & Francisco Gomar

  2. Department of Physiology, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Mateo Buendía, Rosa M. Cibrián & Rosario Salvador

  3. Department of Surgery, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Manuel Laguía & Francisco Gomar

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hospital Dr Peset, Valencia, Spain

    Antonio Martín

Authors
  1. María Fe Mínguez
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  2. Mateo Buendía
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  3. Rosa M. Cibrián
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  4. Rosario Salvador
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  5. Manuel Laguía
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  6. Antonio Martín
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  7. Francisco Gomar
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Correspondence to María Fe Mínguez.

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Mínguez, M.F., Buendía, M., Cibrián, R.M. et al. Quantifier variables of the back surface deformity obtained with a noninvasive structured light method: evaluation of their usefulness in idiopathic scoliosis diagnosis. Eur Spine J 16, 73–82 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-006-0079-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-006-0079-y

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