A simple method of spinal length assessment in patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Methods On the AP long film standing radiographs of 40 consecutive patients, undergoing surgery for IS, the Cobb angle (a) and the direct distance (h) between the upper end vertebra and the lower end vertebra (centroid of vertebral body) were measured. The length of the spinal curvature (c) was calculated in the computer program using the formula: c=ah/2sin/2 For each patient the calculated length was compared to the length of the curvature measured on the radiograph. Shapiro-Wilk W test, t-Student’s test, and Pearson’s linear correlation were used.