The Study:  A reliability and validity study for Scolioscan: a radiation-free scoliosis assessment system using 3D ultrasound imaging

The Facts:

a. The current standard for scoliosis assessment is through measurement by the use of Cobb angles on radiographs.

b. However, there is concern over the use of radiographs which utilize ionizing radiation.

c. Recent studies have shown the feasibility of using ultrasound for scoliosis evaluation.

d. “The aim of this study is to test the reliability of spine deformity measurement of Scolioscan and its validity compared to the gold standard Cobb angle measurements…”

e. The Scolioscan is a device which uses ultrasound rather than x-rays.

f. The authors found very good inter and intraexaminer reliability using the Scolioscan.  

g. “The measurement using Scolioscan was demonstrated to be very reliable and good to excellent correlation noted in comparison with the conventional radiographic Cobb’s method.”

Take Home:

The Scolioscan system may be a new method which chiropractors can use to evaluate scoliosis which does not use radiation.

Reviewer's Comments:

Yet another study showing the interest in using ultrasound to evaluate spinal alignment.

Reviewer:  Roger Coleman DC

Editor: Mark R. Payne DC

 Reference: Zeng YP, Lee TT, Lai KK, Yip BH, Zhou GQ, Jiang WW, Cheung JC, Wong MS, Ng BK, Cheng JC, Lam TP. A reliability and validity study for Scolioscan: a radiation-free scoliosis assessment system using 3D ultrasound imaging. Scoliosi Spinal Disord. 2016 May 31;11:13. doi: 10.1186/s13013-016-0074-y. eCollection 2016.

Link to Abstract:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27299162