Spinal and vertebral dimension charts: precise and accurate characterization for decision-support
Eligibility
- Age 3-10 years
- Existing frontal and lateral full spine x-rays of good quality using the EOS x-ray imager
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of spinal deformity (Frontal Cobb angle > 10 degrees) or skeletal dysplasia
- Abnormal sagittal profile (Thoracic kyphosis > 50 degrees)
- Previous spinal surgery
- Presence of significant known disease affecting growth and known abnormalities of maturation or height
Contact
- Mandy Bouchard, 902-470-6857, Mandy.Bouchard@iwk.nshealth.ca
PI
Dr Ron El-Hawary
Description
Normal spinal growth results from a delicate balance between muscular tone, gravitational forces and the normal activity of vertebral growth plates. Although this growth process is highly regulated, spinal pathologies and asymmetries often result is significant deformities. Remaining growth and spinal deformity severity at presentation are both important risk factors associated with deformity progression. Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) is particularly significant as the spinal deformities associated with this entity are at significant risk of severe deformities.
Understanding normal spinal growth is mandatory to better comprehend the abnormal process affecting patients with spinal deformities. With new growth-friendly strategies emerging for the treatment of spinal deformities, it is essential to develop knowledge to better represent normal and abnormal spinal growth.
The general objective of this study is to improve knowledge about expected spinal and vertebral growth in healthy young children by developing reference growth charts. The primary objective is to define clinically relevant and mathematically valid measures of the spine and vertebrae. The second objective is to provide precise and accurate estimates of reference values of spinal and vertebral dimensions and growth in healthy children from a large database.
Sample size= 150