The effect of added fat on the accuracy of Cobb angle measurements in CT SPR images : a phantom study

Alrehily, F; Alanezi, A; Alsady, G; Benqlilou, M; Carlos, L; Smit, C; Snetler, L; Coward, J

Abstract

Introduction
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a spinal deformity that mostly affects females aged between 10 and 17 years old. Cobb's method is the gold standard for assessing AIS. Being overweight is a common characteristic in AIS patients; therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect fat mass has on the accuracy of Cobb angle measurements in 10-year-old female AIS patients.

Methods
A purpose-built phantom representing an AIS patient was scanned after adding several thicknesses of lard fat (0,2,4 and 8 cm). The phantom was scanned in an antero-posterior position using the scout mode of the CT scanner. 18 observers performed Cobb angle measurements on the images.

Results
The average Cobb angle at 0 cm of fat was 10.83° (SD = 3.06), at 2 cm it was 10.90° (SD = 3.16), at 4 cm it was 10.64° (SD = 3.06) and at 8 cm it was 10.88° (SD = 3.02). No significant difference was observed between the measurements at these thicknesses.

Conclusion
Cobb angle measurements are not affected by the presence of fat.

Implications for practice
When assessing overweight AIS patients, it not necessary to manipulate the acquisition parameters, which could lead to increased patient dose, in order to get more accurate Cobb angle measurement.

Citation

Alrehily, F., Alanezi, A., Alsady, G., Benqlilou, M., Carlos, L., Smit, C., …Coward, J. (2020). The effect of added fat on the accuracy of Cobb angle measurements in CT SPR images : a phantom study. Radiography, 26(Supp 2), S88-S93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2020.04.003

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 6, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Apr 24, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2020
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-2831
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 26
• Issue: Supp 2
• Pages: S88-S93
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2020.04.003
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2020.04.003
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/radiography
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** Article version: AM ** Embargo end date: 31-12-9999 ** From Elsevier via Jisc Publications Router ** Licence for AM version of this article: This article is under embargo with an end date yet to be finalised. **Journal IDs: issn 10788174 **History: issue date 24-04-2020; accepted 06-04-2020