title: [Computer-assisted versus traditional Cobb angle measurement on digital radiograph in scoliosis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Chu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li-feng
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Lao
authors.forename: Wen-xin
authors.initials: WX
authors.lastname: Niu
authors.forename: Ze-jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Gui-xing
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Zhi-hong
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*