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To reduce variability of Cobb angle measurement for scoliosis assessment, a computerized method was developed. This method automatically measured the Cobb angle on spinal posteroanterior radiographs after the brightness and the contrast of the image were adjusted, and the top and bottom of the vertebrae were selected. The automated process started with the edge detection of the vertebra by Canny edge detector. After that, the fuzzy Hough transform was used to find line structures in the vertebral edge images. The lines that fitted to the endplates of vertebrae were identified by selecting peaks in Hough space under the vertebral shape constraints. The Cobb angle was then calculated according to the directions of these lines. A total of 76 radiographs were respectively analyzed by an experienced surgeon using the manual measurement method and by two examiners using the proposed method twice. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) showed high agreement between automatic and manual measurements (ICCs > 0.95). The mean absolute differences between automatic and manual measurements were less than 5°. In the interobserver analyses, ICCs were higher than 0.95, and mean absolute differences were less than 5°. In the intraobserver analyses, ICCs were 0.985 and 0.978, respectively, for each examiner, and mean absolute differences were less than 3°. These results demonstrated the validity and reliability of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a technique for evaluating torso shape and asymmetry in scoliosis using indices of point-set data obtained from torso surface scans. Point-set data are the maximum curvature points of a surface scan and contain key shape information. The centroids, distributions and densities of point-set data are indices of shape and asymmetry. The mean-squared deviations of the centroids per-cross-section from the medial plane are indicative of asymmetry. The distribution and density of point-set data are indicative of shape. Evaluations using point-set data indices were 100% in accord with those based on the cosmetic score. Indices of point-set data have more degrees of freedom and were able to distinguish between scans that have similar cosmetic scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a procedure for pre-processing and reconstructing surface scans comprising an interactive technique for cropping stray points and extremities. The procedure involves three stages: cross-sectioning and clipping, hole-filling and sub-sampling, and surface re-generation. The accuracy of the reconstruction obtained was assessed by creating different patterns of holes and stray points on 30 models of the torso and pre-processing the models using the proposed procedure and existing procedures based on Bezier interpolation and Moving Least Squares (MLS) interpolation. Results obtained indicate that the proposed procedure was at least as good as the better of Bezier and MLS interpolation for all the models tested, particularly outperforming both procedures when holes account for up to 5% of the surface. Its accuracy of reconstruction ranged from 90–100% compared to 80–100% for Bezier and 50–100% for MLS. This work is a crucial step in developing techniques for understanding and assessing changes in torso shape and symmetry from torso surface scans of scoliosis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiency of brace treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is correlated to how the brace has been worn. The more often the patients wear their braces to the prescribed tightness as well as to the prescribed length of time each day, the better the treatment outcomes. This paper describes an active intelligent brace system designed to maintain the interface pressure between the brace and body within the prescribed range during daily activity. The intelligent system consists of a microcomputer, a force transducer and a force feedback component. A subject who has no scoliosis volunteered to test the system for a few hours. Preliminary trials indicate that wearing the system increases the amount of time which a subject wears his brace in the prescribed range of tightness. The test subject wore the brace without feed- back within the prescribed range of tightness for 28% of the time, whereas when the air bladder feedback system was activated, the subject wore the brace effectively for 47 % of the time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides an update on the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. Inventory of the findings of the investigational work; Suggestion of directions for future research; Promotion of the awareness on etiology research for idiopathic scoliosis.

This paper presents a procedure for pre-processing and reconstructing surface scans comprising an interactive technique for cropping stray points and extremities. The procedure involves three stages: cross-sectioning and clipping, hole-filling and sub-sampling, and surface re-generation. The accuracy of the reconstruction obtained was assessed by creating different patterns of holes and stray points on 30 models of the torso and pre-processing the models using the proposed procedure and existing procedures based on Bezier interpolation and Moving Least Squares (MLS) interpolation. Results obtained indicate that the proposed procedure was at least as good as the better of Bezier and MLS interpolation for all the models tested, particularly outperforming both procedures when holes account for up to 5% of the surface. Its accuracy of reconstruction ranged from 90-100% compared to 80-100% for Bezier and 50-100% for MLS. This work is a crucial step in developing techniques for understanding and assessing changes in torso shape and symmetry from torso surface scans of scoliosis patients.

This paper presents a technique for evaluating torso shape and asymmetry in scoliosis using indices of point-set data obtained from torso surface scans. Point-set data are the maximum curvature points of a surface scan and contain key shape information. The centroids, distributions and densities of point-set data are indices of shape and asymmetry. The mean-squared deviations of the centroids per-cross-section from the medial plane are indicative of asymmetry. The distribution and density of point-set data are indicative of shape. Evaluations using point-set data indices were 100% in accord with those based on the cosmetic score. Indices of point-set data have more degrees of freedom and were able to distinguish between scans that have similar cosmetic scores.

In order to study a physiotherapeutic approach to idiopathic scoliosis treatment a posture monitoring system is being built. The system is a small, lightweight, fully portable system capable of monitoring and providing feedback to a patient regarding their posture. Using the combination of accelerometer and electromagnetic technology, distance and angle measurements can be obtained for receivers placed strategically on the patient's back. This data is recorded for further analysis of the patient's progress and to provide immediate feedback to the patient on the status of their posture. Preliminary testing has shown that angular changes of one degree can be detected by the system and that the speed of the electromagnetic field detection has been increased ten times greater than the previous architecture.

The aetiology of adolescent 5 coliosis remains unknown and hindering research is the absence of an appropriate animal model. It is now well-established that pinealectomy in young chickens results in the development of scoliosis that has many of the characteristics seen in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis but the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains elusive. The principle product of the pineal gland is melatonin and so many studies have focused on studying the effects of reduced levels of this hormone. The results have been mixed and the role of melatonin remains unclear. As melatonin production is inhibited by light, it was hypothesised that providing the chickens with an environment consisting of intense, continuous light would reduce serum melatonin levels and avoid any of the potential artifacts involved with the pinealectomy surgery. Consequently, pinealectomised and normal chickens were exposed to very intense light for complete 24 h in each day. At the end of 22 days in this environment serum melatonin levels had been reduced to very low levels in all chickens. Most importantly, 15% of the normal chickens had developed scoliosis and the number of pinealectomised chickens that developed scoliosis increased from 50% to 80%. The results showed that a method for reducing serum melatonin without pinealectomy has been established and which can be used in further experiments. Furthermore, the results also showed that reduced levels of serum melatonin has significant effects on the development of scoliosis. The indication is that there is a threshold level of serum melatonin below which scoliosis may develop probably in conjunction with some other factor which has yet to be identified.

Three-dimensional imaging is an emerging technique in radiology. It might be used to help view the spine and assist in improving evaluation of scoliosis. These images are currently computer generated and although very effective are actually optical iflusions. Questions remain as to the reliability and validity of these images which are important considerations when treatment regimens are being developed and surgery contemplated. Using a constructed three-diemnsional image of a box, this study assessed the inter- and intra-reliability of viewing a specific point on this box and also the inter-reliability of identifying the coordinates of this same point. There was good reliability for viewing a single point in the X and Z axes which formed the plane of the computer but there was a 10X decrease in reliability along the Y-axis (depth). This pattern was repeated when considering the relationship between observers to identify the actual coordinates of the same point.