Scoliosis radiography
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Alan Ho had no recorded disclosures.
View Alan Ho's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Raymond Chieng had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Raymond Chieng's current disclosuresScoliosis radiography is useful in identifying the degree of the scoliosis curvature (major/minor or primary/compensatory curves), as well as observing progression to determine the best treatment method 1.
Indications
Scoliosis radiographs are performed specifically when the disease is suspected, or when its severity/progression are being measured 1.
Projections
Protocols for scoliosis radiography may vary depending on each radiology department.
When the patient has a discrepancy in the leg length, a block should be placed below the shorter leg (or convex side of the curvature) before taking a radiograph 8.
Standard projection
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visualization of all thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of interest
may be taken erect and supine for comparison 2
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visualization of all thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of interest
used to identify spondylolisthesis, the degree of kyphosis/lordosis 2
Additional projections
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assesses the range of motion of the spine by having the patient bend laterally to either side
References
- 1. Horne JP, Flannery R, Usman S. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: diagnosis and management. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Feb 1;89(3):193-8.
- 2. Bontrager KL, Lampignano J. Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2013 Aug 7
- 3. Cassar-Pullicino VN, Eisenstein SM. Imaging in scoliosis: what, why and how?. Clinical radiology. 2002 Jul 1;57(7):543-62.
- 4. Asher MA, Burton DC. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: natural history and long term treatment effects. Scoliosis. 2006 Mar 31;1(1):2.
- 5. Kim H, Kim HS, Moon ES, Yoon CS, Chung TS, Song HT, Suh JS, Lee YH, Kim S. Scoliosis imaging: what radiologists should know. Radiographics. 2010 Nov 1;30(7):1823-42.
- 6. Lehman L. Scoliosis and Spine Imaging. Radiologic Technology. 2008 Mar;79(4):373-77
- 7. Malfair D, Flemming AK, Dvorak MF, Munk PL, Vertinsky AT, Heran MK, Graeb DA. Radiographic evaluation of scoliosis: review. (2010) AJR. American journal of roentgenology. 194 (3 Suppl): S8-22. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.7145 - Pubmed
- 8. Greiner KA. Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Radiologic Decision-Making. (2002). American Family Physician. 65(9):1817-1823
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