X-ray of scoliosis
Author:
Mikael Häggström [notes 1]
Planning
Choice of modality
X-ray of scoliosis is generally the choice for both initial evaluation and follow-up.
Evaluation
- Categorization into dextroscoliosis (convex towards the patient's right) or levoscoliosis (towards left). Typically, there is a main curvature, with secondary counter-curvatures above and below it, which should be measured as well in more severe scoliosis, or if it is not clear what is the main curvature.
- Cobb angle measurement of the anticipated greatest angle seen. angle formed between a line drawn parallel to the superior endplate of one vertebra above the fracture and a line drawn parallel to the inferior endplate of the vertebra one level below the fracture.
- Severity grading of the Cobb angle:
| Scoliosis severity | Cobb angle |
|---|---|
| Mild | 10 - 30°[1] |
| Moderate | 30 - 45°[1] |
| Severe | >45° |
Optionally: Coronal balance, which is the horizontal distance between the middle of the vertebral body of C7 and the midline of the sacrum. It is significant if measuring over 2 cm.[2]
Report
- Dextro- or levoscoliosis
- Cobb angle in numbers, and between which levels, if the referral has any focus on the scoliosis, otherwise a severity grading is enough.
If measured: Significant coronal imbalance
- See also: General notes on reporting
Notes
- ↑ For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Radlines:Authorship for details.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Page 460 in: Konrad E. Bloch, Thomas Brack, Anita K. Simonds (2015). ERS Handbook: Self-Assessment in Respiratory Medicine . European Respiratory Society. ISBN 9781849840781.
- ↑ Yuranga Weerakkody and A.Prof Frank Gaillard. Coronal balance. Radiopaedia. Retrieved on 2019-01-16.
