The aim of this paper is to provide a complete overview of the existing methods for quantitative evaluation of spinal curvature from medical images, and to summarize the relevant publications, which may not only assist in the introduction of other researchers to the field, but also be a valuable resource for studying the existing methods or developing new methods and evaluation strategies. Key evaluation issues and future considerations, supported by the results of the overview, are also discussed.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6949204
Quantitative evaluation of axial vertebral rotation is essential for the determination of reference values and for understanding the mechanisms of the progression of spinal deformities. The review addresses existing methods for quantitative evaluation of axial vertebral rotation from medical images along with all relevant publications, which may provide a resource for studying existing or developing new evaluation strategies. Key evaluation issues, supported by the results of the review, are also discussed.
COBISS.SI-ID: 6949460
In this study, axial vertebral rotation of 14 normal and 14 scoliotic vertebrae was measured in CT images by three observers using different manual and computerized (evaluation of vertebral symmetry in 2D and in 3D) methods. The computerized methods were most consistent with the method of Aaro and Dahlborn, which also proved to be the most reproducible and reliable manual method. The low overall intraobserver variability and interobserver variability of the computerized method indicate that the symmetry-based determination of axial vertebral rotation is reproducible and reliable.
COBISS.SI-ID: 7707220
Axial vertebral rotation of 14 normal and 14 scoliotic vertebrae from MR images was determined by three observers using four manual methods and a computerized method, which were based on the evaluation of vertebral symmetry in 2D and in 3D. The method of Aaro and Dahlborn proved to be the manual method with the highest intra-observer and inter-observer reliabilities, and was also most in agreement with the computerized method, indicating it to be an efficient alternative for repeatable and reliable axial vertebral rotation measurements.
COBISS.SI-ID: 7586132
A number of methods were proposed to measure sagittal vertebral inclination (SVI) in lateral radiographic projections in the form of spinal curvature or segmental angulation. A systematic analysis of the manual and computerized measurements in sagittal computed tomography (CT) cross-sections has not been performed yet. In this study, SVI was systematically evaluated for 28 vertebrae in CT images by three observers using six manual and two computerized measurements. Manual measurements were obtained in sagittal cross-sections by manually identifying the vertebral body corners, which defined the lines of SVI (superior and inferior tangents, anterior and posterior tangents, mid-endplate and mid-wall lines) against reference horizontal or vertical lines. Computerized measurements were obtained by manually identifying the vertebral centroids, which initialized an automated method that evaluated SVI by searching for the planes of maximal symmetry of vertebral bodies in two dimensions (2D) and in three dimensions (3D). The mid-wall lines proved to be the most reproducible and reliable manual measurements (1.0 degree and 1.4 degrees standard deviation, SD). The computerized measurements in 3D were more reproducible and reliable (0.9 degrees and 1.3 degrees SD) and also most consistent with the mid-wall lines (2.1 degrees SD and 1.7 degrees mean absolute difference, MAD). In terms of speed and operator-friendliness, the computerized measurements may represent an adequate alternative to manual measurements.
COBISS.SI-ID: 8373332