Rasterstereography – A Proven Technology Widely Utilized in Europe to Monitor Progress with Scoliosis Brace

Although x-rays are essential in obtaining curve measurements in scoliosis we take the resultant radiation exposure very seriously issue with scoliosis in children. We do everything possible to reduce it to our patients. As part of our scoliosis program we also offer a completely radiation free option for monitoring of scoliosis.

The aim of capturing, measuring and analyzing the back is to obtain information about the 3-D shape of the spine.  One of the causes of scoliosis is vertebral rotation. It is correlated to the surface rotation and allows us to establish the relationship between the back shape and the shape of the spinal midline.

The Formetric Rastersteography was invented in the 1980s to periodically evaluate the progress in scoliosis treatment. without subjecting the patient to harmful radiation. It is widely used, since 1996, in Germany and other European countries by orthopedic doctors and surgeons. The Formetric is FDA approved.

The Rastersterography technology of body surface measurement, combined with biomechanical modeling techniques, has produced a device for the fast, radiation-free evaluation and analysis of the spine and pelvis.

Rasterstereography works by using a harmless white light projected horizontally at the back to produce alternating black and white lines on the body that are used measure the surface of the back and produce graphical, clinical and analytical information on the spine, the pelvis and posture — without the need for radiation or intrusive measures.

A camera placed at a fix distance and angle above the patient captures images of the White Light Raster Lines and based on triangulation algorithms the system is able to captures and analyzes a body shape. The recognition of the anatomical structure through the automatic identification of anatomical landmarks on the body surface provides the basis for a reconstruction of the 3-D profile of the dorsal surface.

Scoliosis imaging for the 21st Century

Computerized mathematical construction allows for the display of the spine structure, thus providing an accurate diagnostic tool that measures the curvatures of the spine without the use of x-rays.

This non-invasive, harmless imaging has allowed us to reduce x-ray exposure to our patients by 50%-75%.

Our 15 Regional Centers offer this technology for initial and follow up evaluations instead of x-rays that would otherwise be used in other clinics. As the curvatures of the spine reduce, so does the cosmetic appearance that is detected by the scanner.  This allows for documentation of 3-dimensional improvements in the curves of our patients spines following our care.

Rasterstereography Research Articles:

• Drerup B, Hierholzer E, Ellger B. Shape analysis of the lateral and frontal projection of spine curves assessed from  rasterstereographs. In: Sevastik JA, Diab KM, eds. Research Into Spinal Deformities. 1st ed. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: lOS Press; 1997:271-275.
• Hackenberg L, Hierholzer E, Potzl W, Götze G, Liljenqvist U. Rasterstereographic back shape analysis in idiopathic scoliosis after posterior correction and fusion. Clin Biomech.2003;18:883-889.
• Hackenberg L, Hierholzer E, Potzl W, Götze C, Liljenqvist U. Rasterstereographic back shape analysis in idiopathic scoliosis after anterior correction and fusion. Clin Biomech. 2003;18:1-8.
• Turner-Smith AR, Harris JD, Houghton GR, Jefferson RJ. A method for analysis of back shape in scoliosis. J Biomech. 1988;21(6):497-509.
• Kyphosis Angulation Measured by Video Rasteerography in relation to X-ray Measurements – Oral Pesentation to the Conference of Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities, Athens Greece April 3-5 2008 by Hans-Rudolff Weiss and N. ElOebeidi