Scoliosis x ray
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Scoliosis Microchapters |
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Scoliosis x ray On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Scoliosis x ray |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rohan A. Bhimani, M.B.B.S., D.N.B., M.Ch.[2]
Overview
X Ray
- Many doctors when suspecting scoliosis will exclaim "scolie and AP-Lateral", which are two types of X-ray. The scolie is pictured above, a scolie is an X-ray taken from the rear. An AP-Lateral is taken from the side but the x ray machine is programmed only to show the spine with high definition.
- Full-length standing spine X rays are the standard method for evaluating the severity and progression of the scoliosis, and whether it is congenital or idiopathic in nature. In growing individuals, serial radiographs are obtained at 3-12 month intervals to follow curve progression. In some instances, MRI investigation is warranted.
- The standard method for assessing the curvature quantitatively is measurement of the Cobb angle, which is the angle between two lines, drawn perpendicular to the upper endplate of the uppermost vertebrae involved and the lower endplate of the lowest vertebrae involved. For patients who have two curves, Cobb angles are followed for both curves. In some patients, lateral bending x rays are obtained to assess the flexibility of the curves or the primary and compensatory curves.