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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Cell-based Assay Protocol for the Prognostic Prediction of Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Cellular Dielectric Spectroscopy
Published on: October 16, 2013
Measurement accuracy in congenital scoliosis
F A Facanha-Filho1, R B Winter, J E Lonstein
1Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404, USA.
Background:
The accuracy of measurement of curves in idiopathic scoliosis has been extensively studied; however, we know of only one article in the literature concerning the accuracy of measurement of curves in congenital scoliosis. That article stated that intraobserver variability was +/- 9.6 degrees and interobserver variability was +/- 11.8 degrees.
Methods:
Sixty-nine curves in fifty patients with congenital scoliosis were measured on two separate occasions by seven different observers with varying experience in curve measurement.
Results:
Mean intraobserver variance ranged from 1.9 degrees to 5.0 degrees, with an average of 2.8 degrees (95% confidence limit, +/- 3 degrees) for the seven observers. The interobserver variance was 3.35 degrees (95% confidence limit, 7.86 degrees).
Conclusions:
It is possible to measure curves in congenital scoliosis with much greater accuracy than previously reported. In the clinical situation in which a skilled observer can measure two radiographs at the same time, an accuracy of +/- 3 degrees can be expected 95% of the time.
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