title: Quantitative ultrasound for predicting curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a prospective cohort study of 294 cases followed-up beyond skeletal maturity.
abstract: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is prevalent among adolescents and can carry significant morbidities. We evaluated the use of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for predicting curve progression in patients with AIS. We recruited 294 girls with AIS at a mean age of 13.4 years, and they were prospectively followed beyond skeletal maturity for curve progression. We recorded 3 calcaneal QUS measurements at baseline, namely broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), velocity of sound (VOS), and stiffness index (SI). Logistic regression analysis indicated that SI, age, menarchal status, and Cobb angle were significant prognostic factors to be included in the final prediction model. The adjusted odds ratio of curve progression for Z-score of SI≦0 was 2.00 (95% CI: 1.08-3.71). The area under the ROC curve was 0.831 (95% CI: 0.785-0.877). The results of this study indicate that SI was an independent and significant prognostic factor for AIS and could be considered in addition to other prognostic factors when estimating the risk for curve progression and planning treatment for patients with AIS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Tsz Ping
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Vivian Wing Yin
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Hiu Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Winnie Chiu Wing
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Bobby Kin Wah
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Kwong Man
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Jack Chun Yiu
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography