[Follow-up problems in scoliosis patients]

With reference to 4 different methods - theoretical derivation, computed model, recent radiological analysis based on 120 scoliosis patients and measurement of the posterior median line in 40 scoliosis patients - the unreliability of follow-up in scoliosis patients is illustrated. The results are compared with previous publications by other authors and discussed. A method of determining spinal geometry three-dimensionally by means of topometric methods (5) is described. The validity of this measuring method is demonstrated in the patient by geometrical measurement of the posterior median line without treatment, under halo gravity extension and in movement.