MORPHOMETRY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY IN THE EVALUATION OF SCOLIOSIS

Purpose: Taking pictures of the spine with Morphometric X-ray Absorpti ometry (DXA) leads to a radiation dose of just 1% of conventional X-ra y. Purpose of this study was to evaluate if DXA is a suitable method f or sufficient measuring of the scoliosis angle. Method: We examined 20 patients with scolioses I, Control-pictures were made with convention al X-rays and compared to those made by DXA, measuring of scoliosis an gle was performed by the method of Lippmann/Cobb. Results: The differe nce between both methods was - 10,5% DXA to conventional X-ray - each angle examined on DXA was smaller. Conclusion: It is possible to measu re scolioses I on DXA.