Curve flexibility assessment on AIS surgical candidates using ultrasonic imaging method - a preliminary study

Objective Bending radiographs are routinely used to determine curve flexibility during planning of scoliosis surgery. However, the cumulative dose of ionizing radiation is a concern, especially in growing children. Ultrasound (US) imaging method has been used to measure the coronal curvatures up to 45° Cobb. The objectives were to investigate the feasibility of using US method to scan AIS surgical candidates, to measure the curve flexibility and to determine its correspondence with the radiographic measures.