Scolisosis

The Diers Formetric system development was the result of a quest to find a method of monitoring children with scoliosis without the harmful effects of numerous x-rays. A collaborative effort was begun with several major universities and the private sector in Germany with the final result being the Diers Formetric 3D/4D unit available today. The use of Photogrammetry in industry has been well documented. The Diers Formetric 3D/4D brings this proven technology into the biomedical field for monitoring progression and aid in diagnosing scoliotic deformities as well as scoliosis. This system is a complement to x-ray evaluation and does not eliminate the need of x-rays. The vertebral spine is modeled by advance algorithms in three dimensions as opposed to the two dimensional results from most x-rays. This modeling has been verified by the digitization of nearly 500 x-rays of 113 scoliotic patients with root mean square deviation of the spinal midline to 1.54 mm. The repeatability of the measurements in three dimensions had a rms deviation of 1.7 mm. This accuracy and repeatability provides assurance to the practitioner that x-rays will be needed only to verify significant changes in the scoliotic deformity as seen by the Diers Formetric imaging.

Using this methodology has enabled a hospital in Germany that specializes in scoliosis patients to reduce x-ray exposure to the individual by 50%. When the long term effects of radiological exposure are considered, this is a major advancement in our care of these individuals.