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Showing papers on "Cobb angle published in 1984"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study illustrates the three-dimensional nature of the deformity in scoliosis and its property of changing in character and magnitude according to the plane of radiographic projection.
Abstract: Eleven articulated scoliotic spines were examined radiographically and morphometrically. Measurement of the curve on anteroposterior radiographs of the specimens gave a mean Cobb angle of 70 degrees, though true anteroposterior radiographs of the deformity revealed a mean Cobb angle of 99 degrees (41% greater). Lateral radiographs gave the erroneous impression that there was a mean kyphosis of 41 degrees while true lateral projections revealed a mean apical lordosis of 14 degrees. Morphometric measurements confirmed the presence of a lordosis at bony level, the apical vertebral bodies being significantly taller anteriorly (P less than 0.02). There were significant correlations (P less than 0.01) between the true size of the lateral scoliosis, the amount of axial rotation and the size of the apical lordosis. This study illustrates the three-dimensional nature of the deformity in scoliosis and its property of changing in character and magnitude according to the plane of radiographic projection.

200 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Mar 1984-Spine
TL;DR: The conclusion is drawn that the Cobb angle gives the most accurate estimation of lung volume compromise and that operative treatment should aim of reducing the lateral dislocation of the vertebrae and at maintaining normal sagittal thoracic curve.
Abstract: The effect on pulmonary function of all three dimensions of the scoliotic deformity was analyzed with computer tomography in 33 patients with thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. Both static (total lung capacity [TLC], vital capacity [VC] and functional residual capacity [FRC] ) and dynamic volumes (forced expiratory volumes in one second [FEV-1]) were negatively correlated to the lateral deformity and, to a lesser degree, to rotation. Of the computer tomography variables reflecting kyphosis, the sagittal diameter was correlated positively to all lung volumes though negatively to the quotient FRC/TLC while the KLi was correlated positively to VC and FEV1. The conclusion is drawn that the Cobb angle gives the most accurate estimation of lung volume compromise and that operative treatment should aim of reducing the lateral dislocation of the vertebrae and at maintaining normal sagittal thoracic curve.

83 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The vital capacity (VC) in patients with congential scoliosis was compared with the VC in idiopathic scoliotic patients and the greater impairment of lung function in congenital scolia may be due to the associated rib deformity or to an underlying lung anomaly.
Abstract: The vital capacity (VC) in patients with congential scoliosis was compared with the VC in idiopathic scoliosis. For any given Cobb angle (a measure of spinal angulation) the loss in VC was approximately 15% greater in congenital scoliosis than in idiopathic scoliosis. The greater impairment of lung function in congenital scoliosis may be due to the associated rib deformity or to an underlying lung anomaly.

49 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Adolescents with scoliosis severe enough to need treatment always had a visible trunk asymmetry at the age of 10, which implies that progressive idiopathic scolia requiring some type of treatment during adolescence can be found in this risk group at theage of 10 years.
Abstract: Trunk asymmetries were diagnosed at the age of 10 in school children (2,200 cases) in Malmo. A combined clinical-moire screening program was used. Twenty-five percent of the girls and 19% of the boys had a positive forward bending test. A positive moire asymmetry was seen in 13% of the girls and in 11% of the boys. More extreme moire asymmetries were seen in 0.8% of the girls and 0.6% of the boys. All of these cases were roentgenographed and the mean Cobb angle was 14 degrees. Moire asymmetries of one moire fringe or more were defined as a risk group and were followed up annually until the age of 14 years by means of moire photography. During the following 3 years, the moire asymmetry increased markedly in 14 girls and four boys. Five of these 32 roentgenographed cases had progressive scoliosis needing brace treatment. All cases referred to as symmetric trunks at the age of 10 were also reexamined annually. In no case did the scoliosis exceed 15 degrees. This implies that adolescents with scoliosis severe enough to need treatment always had a visible trunk asymmetry at the age of 10. Consequently, progressive idiopathic scoliosis requiring some type of treatment during adolescence can be found in this risk group at the age of 10 years.

23 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It was shown that the intrinsic geometric spine curve parameters namely that of curvature and torsion are a powerful diagnostic tool in the assessment of evolutive scoliosis.
Abstract: Spinal deformities have been evaluated in a five year retrospective study where 28 boys and 25 girls all having Friedreich's ataxia were on the average assessed once a year in a multidisciplinary clinic. Scoliosis seems somewhat more progressive in girls than in boys and more severe in non-ambulatory than ambulatory patients. Some of those scolioses are very progressive reaching 60 degrees to 100 degrees Cobb angle values requiring spinal surgery while other progress less rapidly and do well on their own. In addition it was shown that the intrinsic geometric spine curve parameters namely that of curvature and torsion are a powerful diagnostic tool in the assessment of evolutive scoliosis.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Regression analysis has shown that the Ferguson and Cobb methods of measuring spinal curvature give comparable results, at least before the scoliosis is treated, and should focus on their inter- and intraobserver reproducibility and their applicability after corrective treatment.
Abstract: Regression analysis has shown that the Ferguson and Cobb methods of measuring spinal curvature give comparable results, at least before the scoliosis is treated. When the Cobb angle was calculated by multiplying the Ferguson angle by 1.38, the results were accurate to within 5 degrees in 28 (76%) of 37 cases. Any further debate over the merits of the two methods should focus on their inter- and intraobserver reproducibility and their applicability after corrective treatment.

10 citations