Analysis of spine anatomy by photoanthropometric method in scoliosis patients

Analysis of Spine Anatomy by Photoanthropometric Method in Scoliosis Patients Scoliosis is a deformity of the spine in all three space's planes: frontal plane (lateral curvature), horizontal plane (rotation of the vertebrae) and sagittal plane (deformity in lordosis or kyphosis). The radiological imaging remains the gold standard for diagnosis and evaluation of scoliosis. Patients are exposed to x-ray radiation. Purpose of research is analysis of spine anatomy by photoanthropometric method in scoliosis patients. Research includes seventy patients treated in Ege University Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Surgery Clinic. Researcher used digital camera and non toxic coloured marker pen. Anatomical landmarks are pointed by using marker pen on skin. This landmarks are sternal extremity of the clavicula, acromial extremity of the clavicula, inferior angle of the scapulae, right and left anterior superior iliac spines, right and left posterior superior iliac spines, C7 spinous processes, T2, T7, T12, L3 and L5 spinous processes, right and left center of greater trochanter, lateral malleolus of fibulae. Afterwards, frontal and sagittal plane digital imaging photographs were taken in standard standing positions. Nine photographs were taken for each patient. The angles and distance were measured by using Image J software. Deviation and distance between extremities were measured. The female-to-male ratio was detected 4:1 (56 girls/14 boys). Forty nine percent of the curves were lumbar (34 curves, 26 females, 8 males); 30 percent were thoracic (21 curves, 16 females, 5 males); 7 percent were thoracolumbar (5 curves, 5 females, 0 male) and 14 percent were double major (10 curves, 9 females, 1 male). Thoracic kyphosis angle formed by the straight lines between the spinous processes of C7 and T12 and that intersect the horizontal line between T7 and the true vertical line. Mean value of thoracic kyphosis angle was measured 55,26 ± 3,69 degree and 41,4 – 63,65 interval. Lumbar lordosis angle formed by the straight lines between the spinous processes of T12 and L5 and that intersect the horizontal line between L3 and the true vertical line. Average value of lumbar lordosis angle was detected 22,01 ± 1,19 degree and 19,57 – 25,13 interval. Between thoracic kyphosis angle that is obtained with photoanthropometric analysis and thoracic degree of curvature that is measured with Cobb method was found positively correlated (r=0,708). Between lumbar lordosis angle and degree of lumbar curvature was detected positively correlated (r=0,406). Median values of two dependent samples (SOLTAU-SAGTAU, SOLTA-SAGTA, SCA-ACA, AYA-ACA, SOLAEU-SAGAEU, SIPSA-SIASA, IJSSOLSIASU-IJSSAGSIASU) was tested in terms of statistical significance (p>0,05). The registration of images is simple, quick, harmless and cost-effective. This study is characterized by high reliability of measurements. Using photographic parameters make analysis of spine anatomy possible in scoliosis patients. Analysis of spine anatomy by photoanthropometric method in scoliosis patients produced satisfactory results when compared to other methods such as X-Ray. Effectiveness of digital photoanthropometric method in scoliosis patients was assessed. Keywords: Photo-anthropometry; scoliosis; spine anatomy.