title: Early detection of progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis by measurement of changes in back shape with the Integrated Shape Imaging System scanner.
abstract: METHODS
  A retrospective study of 78 patients with right thoracic idiopathic scoliosis was done.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the reliability of the integrated Shape Imaging System scan (Oxford Metrics Ltd, Oxford, UK) in detecting progression of scoliosis and the use of back shape data in predicting scoliosis progression.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  At first presentation and every 3-6 months during the follow-up period, all patients underwent integrated Shape Imaging System scans and radiographic examinations, from which the Cobb angle was measured. The follow-up period was 18-49 months (mean = 31.4 months).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were divided into three groups according to the severity and progression of the Cobb angle. The spinal fusion, brace, and observation groups were compared using analysis of variance and the student's t test to detect significant differences among groups in the progression of deformity as measured by the integrated Shape Imaging System parameters and the Cobb angle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three of the Integrated Shape Imaging System parameters detected significant progression in the spinal fusion group 1 year earlier than the Cobb angle. Only one of the Integrated Shape Imaging System parameters detected a significant difference in progression between the brace and observation groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Integrated Shape Imaging System technique demonstrated significant changes in this group of patients with progressive scoliosis. Serial measurements of back surface shape, particularly the size of the rib hump, may be predictive of progression. Serial Integrated Shape Imaging System scanning has advantages over serial radiography in the management of idiopathic scoliosis in addition to the avoidance of exposure to ionizing radiation.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Orthopaedic Center, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Theologis
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fairbank
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Turner-Smith
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pantazopoulos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001915:Braces; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013997:Time Factors