Is Surface Topography Useful in the Diagnosis of Scoliosis? Validation of the Biometrical Holistic of Human Body (BHOHB)

Background: The concern around repeated exposure to X-rays has been motivating doctors involved in scoliosis to seek alternative solutions. Surface topography (ST) analysis is a modern system that has been shown to have good results. The purpose of the study is to validate the new BHOHB hardware for the investigation of scoliosis in adolescents by comparing it to X-ray examinations and to assess the reliability of intraoperator and interoperator tests. Methods: Ninety-five patients were enrolled in our study. All the patients were analyzed via the BHOHB method 2 times by 2 independent physicians (t0) and for a second time 2 or 3 months later (t1). The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between the measurements obtained by BHOHB and the gold standard. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra- and interoperator reliability. Statistical analysis was performed with the GraphPad Prism 8 software. Results: The correlations between the first and second operators in the measurements and between the BHOHB method and X-ray showed a very good to excellent r for both. A very good correlation was also confirmed for prominence measured by operators and by the BHOHB machine. Intra- and interoperator reliability was found to be very positive for both the first and the second physicians. Conclusions: We can state that ST can be useful for diagnosing and treating scoliosis. The recommendation is to use it primarily to evaluate the evolution of the curve, as in this mode, you can reduce the patient’s exposure to X-rays. The results indicate that BHOHB measures are comparable to radiographs and not influenced by the operator.

[1]  Xinyu Su,et al.  Reliability and Validity of Scoliosis Measurements Obtained with Surface Topography Techniques: A Systematic Review , 2022, Journal of clinical medicine.

[2]  W. Rühm,et al.  Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed? , 2022, Radiation and Environmental Biophysics.

[3]  Marta Kinga Labecka,et al.  Moiré topography as a screening and diagnostic tool—A systematic review , 2021, PloS one.

[4]  L. Aulisa,et al.  Correlation Between Hump Dimensions and Curve Severity in Idiopathic Scoliosis Before and After Conservative Treatment , 2018, Spine.

[5]  M. Romano,et al.  2016 SOSORT guidelines: orthopaedic and rehabilitation treatment of idiopathic scoliosis during growth , 2018, Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders.

[6]  Guang-Quan Zhou,et al.  A reliability and validity study for Scolioscan: a radiation-free scoliosis assessment system using 3D ultrasound imaging , 2016, Scoliosis and Spinal Disorders.

[7]  Edmond H. M. Lou,et al.  Reliability and Validity Study of Clinical Ultrasound Imaging on Lateral Curvature of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis , 2015, PloS one.

[8]  V. Reis,et al.  Intra- and Interday Reliability of Spine Rasterstereography , 2013, BioMed research international.

[9]  G. Logroscino,et al.  The familiarity of idiopathic scoliosis: statistical analysis and clinical considerations , 2013, European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology.

[10]  T. Shannon Development of an apparatus to evaluate Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis by dynamic surface topography. , 2008, Studies in health technology and informatics.

[11]  Fiona Berryman,et al.  A new system for measuring three-dimensional back shape in scoliosis , 2008, European Spine Journal.

[12]  S. Negrini,et al.  SOSORT consensus paper: school screening for scoliosis. Where are we today? , 2007, Scoliosis.

[13]  P. Knott,et al.  Electromagnetic Topographical Technique of Curve Evaluation for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis , 2006, Spine.

[14]  T. Grivas,et al.  Association between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis prevalence and age at menarche in different geographic latitudes , 2006, Scoliosis.

[15]  D. Burton,et al.  Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: natural history and long term treatment effects , 2006, Scoliosis.

[16]  H. Wong,et al.  Idiopathic Scoliosis in Singapore Schoolchildren: A Prevalence Study 15 Years Into the Screening Program , 2005, Spine.

[17]  B. Yawn,et al.  Efficacy of school scoliosis screening. , 2001, Orthopedics.

[18]  K. Singer,et al.  Rasterstereographic analysis of the thoracic sagittal curvature: A reliability study , 1999 .

[19]  B. Yawn School-screening for scoliosis. A prospective epidemiological study in northwestern and central Greece. , 1998, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[20]  G. Kouvidis,et al.  Screening school children for scoliosis on the island of Crete. , 1997, Journal of spinal disorders.

[21]  S C Huang,et al.  Cut‐off Point of the Scoliometer in School Scoliosis Screening , 1997, Spine.

[22]  M. Ylikoski,et al.  Trunk asymmetry and screening for scoliosis: a longitudinal cohort study of pubertal schoolchildren , 1993, Acta paediatrica.

[23]  A R Turner-Smith,et al.  A television/computer three-dimensional surface shape measurement system. , 1988, Journal of biomechanics.

[24]  F. Turcotte,et al.  Age- and sex-specific prevalence of scoliosis and the value of school screening programs. , 1985, American journal of public health.

[25]  D. Hui,et al.  Early diagnosis of scoliosis based on school-screening. , 1985, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[26]  Y. Wilson,et al.  Standardised trunk asymmetry scores. A study of back contour in healthy school children. , 1984, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[27]  R. Dickson Scoliosis in the community. , 1983, British medical journal.

[28]  J. O. Søjbjerg,et al.  Moiré topography in school screening for structural scoliosis. , 1982, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[29]  S. Willner,et al.  A prospective prevalence study of scoliosis in Southern Sweden. , 1982, Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica.

[30]  S. Sepic,et al.  Scoliosis screening: results of a community project. , 1981, Pediatrics.

[31]  D S Drummond,et al.  Scoliosis: incidence and natural history. A prospective epidemiological study. , 1978, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[32]  Icrp Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication 26 , 1977 .

[33]  S. Azen,et al.  Scoliosis: A prospective epidemiological study. , 1975, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[34]  A. Shands,et al.  The incidence of scoliosis in the state of Delaware; a study of 50,000 minifilms of the chest made during a survey for tuberculosis. , 1955, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.