[Computer-assisted versus traditional Cobb angle measurement on digital radiograph in scoliosis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess Mimics as a new measurement method in Cobb angle in a comparison with traditional measurement and try to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the new method.


METHODS
Twenty X-ray plates of scoliosis were chosen randomly. Two experienced physicians measured the Cobb angles via Mimics and traditional methods twice with an interval of 1 week. And statistical analyses of Cobb angle and difference between two measurements were carried out.


RESULTS
The overall correlation was 0.986 for Mimics and traditional measurements. ANOVA demonstrated no significant difference between these two methods. A significant difference existed between the first and second values of Cobb angle in Mimics and traditional measurements. However the absolute difference was small.


CONCLUSIONS
Mimics can be a new method for measuring the digital radiographs. And its precision is superior to that of the traditional measurement.
Wang
Chu
C
Department of Orthopedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Lao
Li-feng
LF
Niu
Wen-xin
WX
Xing
Ze-jun
ZJ
Qiu
Gui-xing
GX
Wu
Zhi-hong
ZH
D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*