cobb angle discrepansy

[Mobee211]

Thanks everyone. I am sure I will find out the TRUE curvature when I see the orthopedic surgeon. I was just shocked that they measured using 2 different top and bottom vertebrae!!

[amandap]

Two different radiologists doing the measurements ~ I wouldn't worry too much.

[leahdragonfly]

The same vertebrae should be used for all measurements. I read recently in a juvenile scoliosis medical journal article (I think by Dr. Betz??-not sure now) that the leading cause for scoliosis to be referred to a pediatric scoliosis speciaty referral center is a false diagnosis of progression, where different vertebrae were used for the Cobb measurments.

Our 6 y/o daughter's initial films were measured by our local radiologist at 30 degrees, the pediatric scoliosis specialist in Portland remeasured it at 28 degrees, and Dr. Betz calculated 26 degrees (this was good news for us!).

Gayle

[green m&m]

Yeah.. different radiologists using diff. vertebrae isn't good for comparing. My ortho re-measures previous years xray sometimes when measuring the new one.

Personally, I take radiologists readings(not x-rays... MRIs/CTs) with a huge grain of salt because I've had so many inadequate readings and outright misses. Granted, most rads won't see the findings that come up on my scans but the last one I had, I seriously had to question if the radiologist actually looked at my scan or not.

I think all the spine xrays I've had, if it was read by a radiologist, they just stated the direction and severity of the curve...(sever levoscoliosis blah blah)