2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (9): 1462-1468

Application of trunk surface morphometry in vertebral column defects

Hu Xijian, Zhao Bin, Chai Huo, Liu Haifeng   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the progress of optical technology, the detection accuracy of existing trunk surface morphology measurement methods is constantly improving. At the same time, with the intelligence of software technology, various new detection technologies and methods have emerged.
OBJECTIVE: To review various methods and research progress of the application of trunk surface morphometry in vertebral column defects in recent years, and summarize the limitations and development trend of trunk surface morphometry.
METHODS: The first author searched the literature published from 1980 to 2021 on PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. The key words were “vertebral column defects, spinal deformation, scoliosis, trunk surface, surface topography, TS, AIS, screening”. After excluding repetitive and poor-quality studies, a total of 72 articles were included for analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) As a non-radiation detection method, the safety of trunk surface morphometry is higher than that of radiological examination, but its accuracy is still controversial because this method is an indirect way to infer the degree of spinal curvature. At present, it cannot replace the special status of radiological examination in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal spinal curvature diseases. (2) At present, the measurement of trunk surface morphology is divided into three categories: one is the physical examination based on Adam’s test and trunk rotation angle measurement. It has been used in the screening of scoliosis for a long time. To improve the accuracy of the examination, a variety of examinations need to be used together, and the detection efficiency is low. The second is the two-dimensional image measurement method represented by the Trunk Aesthetic Clinical Evaluation and posterior trunk symmetry index, which is often used for the regular monitoring of patients with abnormal spinal curvature. The third is three-dimensional imaging detection represented by Moire image, structured light and Formetric system. In recent years, after breaking through the technical bottleneck, it has got rid of its inefficient and harsh measurement conditions. The measurement accuracy is higher than two-dimensional image measurement. It is widely used in the clinical work of spinal deformity. (3) In recent years, more efficient spinal deformity screening methods developed by relying on new information technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data have also been reported from time to time. When improving the existing trunk surface morphology measurement, optimizing the existing trunk surface morphology measurement or creating a new measurement index can further improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the trunk surface morphology measurement and expand its scope of use under the conditions of meeting the requirements of direct measurement, using clear and accurate anatomical landmarks, simplifying the measurement scheme and clarifying the normal threshold of the index.
Key words: vertebral column defects, trunk surface, scoliosis, screening, radiography, rasterstereography, spinal deformity