On my Xrays from 2006 the top vertebra of my cobb angle was c5. In these newest Xrays the top vertebra of the cobb angle is c7. This makes no sense to me. I know it matters in terms of the cobb angle. Anyone have any info/explanations? When I take the cobb angle measurement on these new xrays and use c5 as the top vertebrae (the way it was measured in 2006) I get 50 degrees as the cobb angle, NOT 40 degrees. I'm not an MD but shouldn't they be consistant with the vertebrae they use??
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cobb angle discrepansy
28 years old. Dx at age 14.
1994 20T/20L
1998 22T/20L
2002 30T/28L
2006 34T/28L
2008 43T/34L
considering surgery in the near future as the curvature is getting progressively worse and for pain management.
XRAYS and pics at 28 years old. http://www.freewebs.com/skiergirl24/apps/photos/Tags: None
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Originally posted by Mobee211On my Xrays from 2006 the top vertebra of my cobb angle was c5. In these newest Xrays the top vertebra of the cobb angle is c7. This makes no sense to me. I know it matters in terms of the cobb angle. Anyone have any info/explanations? When I take the cobb angle measurement on these new xrays and use c5 as the top vertebrae (the way it was measured in 2006) I get 50 degrees as the cobb angle, NOT 40 degrees. I'm not an MD but shouldn't they be consistant with the vertebrae they use??
Who measured the two, Mobee, and what was their specialty?
41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston
VIEW MY X-RAYS
EMAIL ME
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Originally posted by txmarinemomWho measured the two, Mobee, and what was their specialty?
I am not sure who measured the curve in 2006 but I know it was a staff radiologist at my doc office. And in 2008 it was another staff radiologist (I know his name but cannot put on internet). I called my doc office and left a message to inquire about this.28 years old. Dx at age 14.
1994 20T/20L
1998 22T/20L
2002 30T/28L
2006 34T/28L
2008 43T/34L
considering surgery in the near future as the curvature is getting progressively worse and for pain management.
XRAYS and pics at 28 years old. http://www.freewebs.com/skiergirl24/apps/photos/
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Originally posted by Mobee211I am not sure who measured the curve in 2006 but I know it was a staff radiologist at my doc office. And in 2008 it was another staff radiologist (I know his name but cannot put on internet). I called my doc office and left a message to inquire about this.
41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston
VIEW MY X-RAYS
EMAIL ME
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thanks. i see the scoli specialist on 4/4. i was told at age 18 that my curve would never get any worse and i needed to not worry about it. yeesh. docs don't know everything!28 years old. Dx at age 14.
1994 20T/20L
1998 22T/20L
2002 30T/28L
2006 34T/28L
2008 43T/34L
considering surgery in the near future as the curvature is getting progressively worse and for pain management.
XRAYS and pics at 28 years old. http://www.freewebs.com/skiergirl24/apps/photos/
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Originally posted by Mobee211thanks. i see the scoli specialist on 4/4. i was told at age 18 that my curve would never get any worse and i needed to not worry about it. yeesh. docs don't know everything!
On the other hand, mine hung ready to win the "Ms. Most Likely to Go Far in Life" award for 25 years ... and never moved. (my surgery was purely because it hurt more and more over the years).
It'll be interesting to see how one specialist reads the films. Good luck!
Pam
41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston
VIEW MY X-RAYS
EMAIL ME
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Thanks. I will be interested to see what the scoli specialist says as well.28 years old. Dx at age 14.
1994 20T/20L
1998 22T/20L
2002 30T/28L
2006 34T/28L
2008 43T/34L
considering surgery in the near future as the curvature is getting progressively worse and for pain management.
XRAYS and pics at 28 years old. http://www.freewebs.com/skiergirl24/apps/photos/
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Pam,
Why did you say a radiologist isn't the one who would read the x-rays the most accurate?Melissa
From Bucks County, Pa., USA
Mom to Matthew,19, Jessica, 17, and Nicole, 14
Nicole had surgery with Dr. Dormans on 9/12/07 at Children's Hospital of Phila. She is fused T-2 - L-3
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Originally posted by MATJESNICPam,
Why did you say a radiologist isn't the one who would read the x-rays the most accurate?
Amazing.
sharonSharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis
No island of sanity.
Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
Answer: Medicine
"We are all African."
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I think there is always some issue with which vertebrae to include at the top and bottom of the curve and scoliosis specialists are better at determining the correct vertebrae to use, as opposed to general radiologists. I think that is what Pam was getting at. In no way did she mean that radiologists cannot produce accurate measurements. I think she was just saying for the best results...always see a scoli specialist.28 years old. Dx at age 14.
1994 20T/20L
1998 22T/20L
2002 30T/28L
2006 34T/28L
2008 43T/34L
considering surgery in the near future as the curvature is getting progressively worse and for pain management.
XRAYS and pics at 28 years old. http://www.freewebs.com/skiergirl24/apps/photos/
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Originally posted by Pooka1Radiologists are as qualified to measure the angle as are orthopedic surgeons.
Amazing.
sharon
Yes, dear.
41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston
VIEW MY X-RAYS
EMAIL ME
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Originally posted by MATJESNICPam,
Why did you say a radiologist isn't the one who would read the x-rays the most accurate?
41, dx'd JIS & Boston braced @ 10
Pre-op ±53°, Post-op < 20°
Fused 2/5/08, T4-L1 ... Darrell S. Hanson, Houston
VIEW MY X-RAYS
EMAIL ME
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I agree with Pam on this one.
Although radiologists are qualified to measure curves it's difficult to get accurate/consistent readings because each radiologists/ortho/scoli specialits, etc. all measure differently so it's important for consisitency to have 1 person measure all the films.
From personal experiences Lorena's local pedi ortho measurements differ from the measurements @ Shriners Philly and for that matter Dr. D'Andrea, Dr. Betz, and Janets measurements (all @ Shriners Philly) differ, Dr. Betz always tend to be on the higher side.
That said ~ if two different radiologists measure the same curve chances are pretty hight the measurments will differ.
Just my two cents.Amanda
Mom to Lorena 7 yrs old
Diagnosed 8/2005 ~ 26 Degree Curve
Progressed to 42 Degrees by Dec 05
Milwakee Brace 1/16/06 - 6/26/06
Vertebral Stapling on 6/26/06 @ Shriners in Philadelphia
26 Degree Post Op Curve
Last X-Rays December 07 ~ 26 Degree Curve
Email: domingo_amandapompa@msn.com
Website: www.vertebralstapling.com
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6GmX3K7FIs
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Now my two cents -
If it was my child, I would not want a radiolgist to measure the curve - I would want an orthopedic surgeon to measure it.
My reasons:
When David was first diagnosed, there was a significant difference between the radiologist's reading and the orthopedic surgeon's reading. Being a novice, I questioned them both about it - even the radiologist said his was an "estimate". The surgeon said that the radiologist's reading was basically just to see if there WAS a scoliosis, knowing that the ortho would follow up with a precise measurement.
After that first x-ray, nobody except an orthopedic doctor has ever read David's x-rays in the past EIGHT YEARS. I assume there is a reason for this.
Also, if you think about it, a radiologist takes xrays of EVERYTHING - ankles, arms, other body parts - he or she is not a SPINE SPECIALIST.
I don't think this is even a matter of opinion to tell you the truth. An ortho surgeon should be reading the xrays.
Of course, that's just MY view.mariaf305@yahoo.com
Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/
http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/
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I agree with what you are saying Amanda - and actually the drs in Boston told me that if Nathan was measured at 24 by local radiologist, it was likely that it was higher (this was based on their experiences with other patients coming in for the first time). They actually only measured 1 degree higher - on the same x-ray. But our appt. was a month later, so they redid the x-rays and found he had progressed to 38 degrees - clearly a progression, even with the typical +/- 5.
Also, I believe that the +/- 5 is a big factor in determining progression because there can be variables, such as the person reading x-ray, and I understand that curves can even vary slightly throughout the day.
-CaraCara, Mom to Nathan
Diagnosed 24 deg. in July 2007, progressed to 38 deg. by August 2007
Boston Back Brace 8/07 – 12/07
VBS 12/10/07 Boston Children's Hospital
Dr. Hresko
40 Degrees before VBS
11 Degrees now!! (2012)
Nathan's VBS Video
www.vertebralstapling.com
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