THE VALUE OF THE MEASUREMENT FROM T5 TO T12 AS A SCREENING TOOL IN DETECTING ABNORMAL KYPHOSIS

Because vertebral endplates above T5 are not consistently seen on stan dard lateral radiographs, we assessed the reliability of measuring fro m T5 to T12 to detect abnormal kyphosis in children. Sixty-nine subjec ts were included, with 43 normal controls. Propst-Proctor and Bleck re ported the normal measurement of T5-T12 to be between 20 and 33 degree s. All 69 patients with abnormal kyphosis measured >33 degrees from T5 to T12. Twenty-four normal subjects had measurements less than or equ al to 33 degrees, and 19 measured >33 degrees. Sensitivity, specificit y, and accuracy were 100, 56, and 83%, respectively, when using 33 deg rees as the upper limit of normal. In conclusion, a measurement from T 5 to T12 of >33 degrees on lateral thoracolumbar radiographs as a scre ening for abnormal kyphosis had a sensitivity of 100%. For patients wi th a measurement >33 degrees, additional lateral radiographs to visual ize the entire thoracic spine above T5 would be warranted.