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Reliability of trunk shape measurements based on 3-D surface reconstructions

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Abstract

This study aimed to estimate the reliability of 3-D trunk surface measurements for the characterization of external asymmetry associated with scoliosis. Repeated trunk surface acquisitions using the Inspeck system (Inspeck Inc., Montreal, Canada), with two different postures A (anatomical position) and B (‘‘clavicle’’ position), were obtained from patients attending a scoliosis clinic. For each acquisition, a 3-D model of the patient’s trunk was built and a series of measurements was computed. For each measure and posture, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were obtained using a bivariate analysis of variance, and the smallest detectable difference was calculated. For posture A, reliability was fair to excellent with ICC from 0.91 to 0.99 (0.85 to 0.99 for the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval). For posture B, the ICC was 0.85 to 0.98 (0.74 to 0.99 for the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval). The smallest statistically significant differences for the maximal back surface rotation was 2.5 and 1.5° for the maximal trunk rotation. Apparent global asymmetry and axial trunk rotation indices were relatively robust to changes in arm posture, both in terms of mean values and within-subject variations, and also showed a good reliability. Computing measurements from cross-sectional analysis enabled a reduction in errors compared to the measurements based on markers’ position. Although not yet sensitive enough to detect small changes for monitoring of curve natural progression, trunk surface analysis can help to document the external asymmetry associated with different types of spinal curves as well as the cosmetic improvement obtained after surgical interventions. The anatomical posture is slightly more reliable as it allows a better coverage of the trunk surface by the digitizing system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, CP 6079, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3C 1A7

    Valérie Pazos & Farida Cheriet

  2. Research Centre, Sainte-Justine Mother-Child University Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Valérie Pazos, Farida Cheriet, Jean Danserau & Hubert Labelle

  3. CHUM, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Valérie Pazos, Farida Cheriet, Jean Danserau & Hubert Labelle

  4. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Hubert Labelle

  5. Graduate studies Office, Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Jean Danserau

  6. Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Janet Ronsky & Ronald F. Zernicke

  7. Faculties of Kinesiology and Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Ronald F. Zernicke

Authors
  1. Valérie Pazos
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  2. Farida Cheriet
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  3. Jean Danserau
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  4. Janet Ronsky
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  5. Ronald F. Zernicke
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  6. Hubert Labelle
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Correspondence to Valérie Pazos.

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Pazos, V., Cheriet, F., Danserau, J. et al. Reliability of trunk shape measurements based on 3-D surface reconstructions. Eur Spine J 16, 1882–1891 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0457-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-007-0457-0

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