EVALUATION OF COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC METHODS TO MEASURE VERTEBRAL ROTATION IN ADOLESCENT IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS - AN INTRAOBSERVER AND INTEROBSERVER ANALYSIS

The purpose of this study was to compare three computed tomography (CT ) measurement methods that have been described by Aaro-Dahlborn, Ho, a nd Krismer et al. The methods were based on clinical, intraobserver, a nd interobserver analysis. Twenty-five patients with adolescent idiopa thic scoliosis were studied for clinical reliability of these methods. There was a significant correlation between Aaro-Dahlborn and Ho's me thods (p < 0.02), and there was no correlation between Krismer's metho d and the other two (p > 0.05). Intraobserver analysis was performed b y one observer at 20 different times, and interobserver analysis was p erformed by 20 orthopedic surgeons on the same CT scan. Intraobserver and interobserver analysis has shown that the method described by Ho i s the most reliable one. Consequently, Ho's method is the most reliabl e and clinically the most useful method for measuring the vertebral ro tation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.