title: Development of a 3-Dimensional Back Contour Imaging System for Monitoring Scoliosis Progression in Children.
abstract: METHODS
  Control study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a new surface topography system capable of taking 3-dimensional (3D) spine measurements, to establish baseline values for the measured parameters in a typically developing population, and to determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reproducibility of these parameters.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Cumulative exposure to radiation from diagnostic radiographs increases patient risk for cancer development. There is a need for noninvasive and non-radiographic tools to accurately and reproducibly measure spine deformity and track scoliosis progression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured 10 typically developing subjects with the new Milwaukee Topography System, which is composed of 2 electromagnetic markers, an electronic processing unit, a handheld laser scanner, a software package, and a desktop computer. Two investigators separately scanned the same subjects multiple times, yielding a total of 4 scans per subject per investigator. We measured 17 3D back parameters in each scan. We performed a multivariate analysis of variances to test the hypothesis of no difference for all variables, measured intra-rater and inter-investigator reliability with intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients, and calculated mean values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were highly reproducible ICC values between investigators for 6 parameters (ICC > 0.75), moderate ICC values for 8 parameters (0.75 > ICC > 0.4), and poor ICC values for 3 parameters (ICC < 0.4), all at p < .05. Intra-investigator ICCs were moderate to excellent for almost all parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Milwaukee Topography System can be used to monitor and measure 3D back contours in children. The 3D back parameters values measured in the typically developing population can be considered baseline values that can be compared with parameters measured in children with idiopathic scoliosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA; Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. Electronic address: xcliu@mcw.edu.
authors.forename: Xue-Cheng
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: J Channing
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tassone
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thometz
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: Roger M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lyon
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment Center, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue, PO Box 1997, Suite C360, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marquez-Barrientos
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tarima
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Johnson
keywords: Imaging; Milwaukee Topography System; Surface topography; Three-dimensional