Comparative study of radiographic measurements on sagittal plane curves in adjacent segments of tho?鄄racolumbar spine

English Keywords:Ｔhoracolumbar spine  Ｓagittal plane curve  Ａdjacent segment  X-ray

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To compare three methods on measuring sagittal plane curves in adjacent segments of thoracolumbar spine and to provide radiographic evidence for clinical practice.Method：42 times of thoracolumbar lateral views at varied postures were performed on 6 dried spine specimen and standard standing lateral views were obtained from 79 normal adults.The sagittal angle by distortion compensated roentgen analysis（DCRA method），the sagittal angle defined by two vertical lines perpendicular to the lines parallel to the superior endplate of above vertebra and the inferior endplate of below adjacent vertebral body（Cobb1 method），the sagittal angle defined by two vertical lines perpendicular to the lines parallel to the superior endplate of above vertebra and the superior endplate of below adjacent vertebral body（Cobb2 method）were used to measure sagittal plane curves.All results were reviewed statistically.Result：There was statistical significance among the three measurements for clockwise or counterclockwise posture for spine specimen （P<0.05），while no statistical significance among 6 specimens at different postural lateral view by using DCRA method（P>0.05）.There was statistical significance for clockwise or counterclockwise posture by using Cobb1 method and Cobb2 method （P<0.05）.There was no statistical significance among the three measurements of sagittal plane curves for adjacent segments for standard standing posture in normal adults （P>0.05）.Conclusion：DCRA method is accurate for measuring sagittal plane curves，different orientation has no impact on measurement，while vertebral rotation influences the measurement significantly by using Cobb1 and cobb2 methods.