Clinical application of back surface topography by means of structured light in the screening of idiopathic scoliosis.

We present the results of the clinical validity in the screening of idiopathic scoliosis with a nonharming method of back surface topography by means of structured light projection. A total of 155 patients were evaluated (mean age 13.3 years). They were divided into two groups: pathologic patients (scoliosis) and nonpathologic patients (control and asymmetries). An analytical case-control study was carried out. Our topographic method obtained 92% sensitivity and 74% specificity as a screening test in identifying patients with scoliosis (P=0.05). We could quantify the vertebral deformity of scoliosis in the three spatial planes by means of three topographic variables, Horizontal Plane Deformity Index, Posterior Trunk Symmetry Index and Columnar Profile, and to elaborate a combined screening algorithm with good reliability parameters.