Formetric 4D Research Articles

Vertebral rotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis calculated by radiograph and back surface analysis-based methods: correlation between the Raimondi method and rasterstereography

The aim of the present research is to evaluate the relationship between an X-ray-based method (i.e. the Raimondi method) and rasterstereography in the evaluation of vertebral rotation (VR) in a sample of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. A total of 25 patients (9 males; mean age 14 ± 3 years; mean height 160.7 ± 11.9 cm; mean weight 52.4 ± 10.7 kg) were considered for the present analysis. The mean Cobb angle was 30° ± 9°. The evaluation of VR on radiographs was made using the Raimondi method regolo (Marrapese Editore--Demi S.r.1., Rome). Rasterstereography was performed by means of Formetric 4D(®) (Diers International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany). Correlations between rasterstereographic and radiographic measurement of VR were calculated, both for the whole sample and for thoracic and lumbar spinal segments considered separately, as well as for subgroups of patients with a Cobb angle <30° and ≥ 30° using Spearman's correlation coefficient by rank (r (s)). When applied to the entire spine, measurement of VR by means of the two methods highlighted a significant correlation in the whole group (r = 0.52; p < 0.0001), as well as in the <30° Cobb (r = 0.47; p = 0.0001) and ≥ 30° Cobb (r = 0.42; p < 0.0001) subgroups. A significant correlation was found also when lumbar and thoracic VR were considered as separated groups (r = 0.30, p = 0.024 and r = 0.47, p = 0.002, respectively). Rasterstereographic evaluation of VR shows a good correlation with the Raimondi method, thereby confirming the possibility to use this non-invasive method for deformity assessment in AIS patients.

Comparison of Radiographic and Surface Topography Measurements in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Purpose:In patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), radiographic surveillance is the gold standard of assessing spinal deformity, but has negative long-term effects. The Formetric 4D surface topography system was compared to standard radiography as a safer option for evaluating patients with AIS.Methods:Fourteen volunteers with typical AIS patient stature had 30 repeated Formetric 4D measurements taken, and reproducibility was assessed. Sixty-four patients with AIS were then enrolled during routine clinic visits. Evaluation included standard radiographs and surface topography measurements. A comparison analysis was performed.Results:When assessing same-day repeated scans, a standard deviation of +/- 3.4 degrees for scoliosis curve measurements was determined, and the Reliability Coefficient (Cronbach) was very high (0.996). Cobb angles measured with the Formetric 4D differed from radiographic measurements by an average of 9.42 (lumbar) and 6.98 (thoracic) degrees, while the correlation between the two measurements was strong (95% confidence interval [CI]), 0.758 (lumbar) and 0.872 (thoracic) respectively.Conclusions:The Formetric 4D is comparable to radiography in terms of its test-retest reproducibility. Although this device does not predict curve magnitude exactly, the predictions correlate strongly with the Cobb angles determined from radiographs. It can be reliably used in the surveillance of patients with AIS.

골프선수의 3차원적 척추구조, 골반변위 및 족압에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate variables of significantly difference as the structure of the spine, pelvic deviation and foot pressure between undergraduates and golf player subjects. The subjects of study were composed of 20 male golf players and 20 male undergraduates. Both groups were right handed persons. The measurement tools of this study were Formetric 4D(Diers, Germany) which is a three dimensional measure. The result are the follows: there were a significant difference between golf players and general students of trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, pelvic torsion, pelvic rotation, surface rotation, lumbar lordotic curve, foot pressure(fore & behind foot), weight distribution(right & left foot). In conclusion, golf players might cause transform of spine and foot pressure due to golf exercise for several years. Such as imbalance affect to induce functional impairment and pain of musculoskeletal system, and appropriate evaluation and treatment were necessary for golf players.

Is the surface topography a helpful tool for the management of scoliosis?

Material and methods We have used the Formetric 4D-Dicom II system, which is supplied also with lateral Cobb angle measurement. We have examined 616 patients (432 females and 184 males), age 5 y to 21 y. The patients have been visited clinically by inspection, Adams forward bending test and Perdriolle scoliometer. We have fit, to every patient, 4-8 reflectors on the apex of T1 through L4 spinal process and 2 shoulder reflectors to get the possibility for lateral Cobb angle measurement with the Formetric 4D.

The influence of body mass index (BMI) on the reproducibility of surface topography measurements

Background Surface Topography can be used to evaluate patients with spinal deformity, especially adolescents with scoliosis in whom a reduced number of radiographic evaluations is desired. The Formetric 4D (Diers International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany) is a surface topography system that is able to identify anatomical landmarks and construct a 3-dimentional model of the spine using only surface features. One would guess that a slender patient with easily identifiable bony landmarks would be an ideal patient for this system, and that a patient with a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) would be more difficult to measure [1-5]. Materials and methods In this study, fourteen female patients were measured 30 times each to evaluate the reproducibility of the Formetric measurements. The patients ranged in BMI from 16.9 to 29.0, and the reproducibility of each of the Formetric parameters was correlated to BMI. Results Results showed that there was not a strong correlation between any of the individual surface topography parameters and the BMI. The reproducibility of the calculated scoliosis curve did correlate with BMI, however, (r = 0.65) and this correlation was significant (p = 0.012), showing that the higher the patient’ sB MI, the more variability was present in scoliosis angle calculations. Conclusions Overall, the reproducibility of the Formetric 4D was very good even in patients with higher BMI. The patient with the highest BMI (29) still had Formetric measurements that were +/- only 4.6 degrees for scoliosis curve calculations.

A comparison of authomatic vs. manual detection of anatomical landmarks during surface topography evaluation using the formtric 4D system

Background The Formetric 4D System (Diers International GmbH, Schlangenbad Germany) is a popular system for measuring surface topography in patients with adolescent scoliosis [1-4]. The system automatically detects anatomic landmarks on the patient, but then gives the user the opportunity to make adjustments to those landmarks if necessary. The purpose of this study was to see whether there would be more variability in repeated measurements if the landmarks were adjusted by the clinician or if they were left in the place where the machine had put them.

A comparison of static vs dynamic surface topography measurements in the evaluation of scoliosis

The Formetric 4D System (Diers International GmbH, Schlangenbad, Germany) is a surface topography system used to evaluate trunk deformity in patients with scoliosis. The original system took a single static scan of the patient which was subject to variability due to the natural sway of the body during standing. A 4D system was developed that takes multiple scans over 6 seconds and averages them to take into account patient movement during imaging. Averaged scans such as this should show less variability over time than single images do [1-4]. The purpose of this study was to compare surface topography measurements taken as a single scan with those taken as averaged scans over 6 and 15 seconds to see whether the averaged scans have less variability. Six volunteer patients without scoliosis were used to measure the position of normal spines in the standing position. Each patient was scanned ten times for each time interval. For each group of scans, a standard error of measurement was calculated. The patients were then compared based on the standard errors for each topography parameter. Data included 6 patients x30 measurements each x10 topography parameters totaling 1800 data points. Data analysis was done using ANOVA to compare the three groups. There were not significant differences between the groups in any of the surface topography parameters that were studied. Our conclusion was that in this population of 6 normal patients, we were not able to demonstrate smaller standard errors of measurement with averaged 4D scans than with single scans.

Evaluation of the reproducibility of the formetric 4D measurements for scoliosis

Frequent assessment and monitoring of AIS patients is necessary to determine the progression of spinal deformity. Radiographs are used as the standard-of-care for evaluation, but have negative long-term effects. Surface topography is a safer option for assessment in these patients. The Formetric 4D (DIERS, International GmbH of Schlangenbad, Germany) provides fast and radiation-free mages of the spine position using surface topography. The goal of this study was to measure the reproducibility of the Formetric 4D system in measuring trunk dimensions and scoliosis Cobb angles.

Relation between the caracteristics of A. I. S. and vital capacity in young and adults

Material and methods We have examined 115 young teenagers (107 females and 8 males) and 15 adults (12 females and 3 males), with Thoracic Scoliosis. The age of the teenagers was between 7y and 18y (average 14,2y) and the age for the adults was between 19y and 60y (average 30y). We have used digital X-ray control for the Cobb angle determination, the Formetric 4D for the Surface Rotation and Kyphosis and with the Chest Graph HI 101 Spirometer for determine the Vital Capacity. All the data were analyzed by statistical methods, as well as one by one.