Date: April 2024.
Source: Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics:10.1097/BPO.0000000000002677. | DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000002677.
Objective: Severe spinal deformity results in restrictive pulmonary disease from thoracic distortions and lung-volume limitations. Though spirometry and body plethysmography are widely accepted tests for pulmonary function tests (PFTs), they are time-consuming and require patient compliance. This study investigates whether surface topographic [surface topography (ST)] measurements of body volume difference (BVD) and torso volume difference between maximum inhale and exhale correlate to values determined on PFTs
Methods: This study included patients with idiopathic scoliosis and thoracic/thoracolumbar curves ≥40 degrees. Patients received ST scans, clinical examinations, and EOS biplanar radiographs on the same day. PFTs were performed within 3 months of ST/radiographic analysis. Univariate linear regression analysis was used to examine relationships between BVD, PFT values, and mean curves.
Results: Sixteen patients (14.6 ± 2.2 y, 69% females) with idiopathic scoliosis and mean thoracic/thoracolumbar curves of 62 degrees ± 15˚ degrees (45 degrees to 93 degrees) were assessed. BVD displayed statistically high-positive positive correlations with forced vital capacity (R= 0.863, P< 0.0001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (R= 0.870, P< 0.001), vital capacity (R= 0.802, P< 0.0001), and TLC (R= 0.831, P< 0.0001. Torso volume difference showed similarly high positive correlations to forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, vital capacity, and TLC, but not residual volume. No correlations emerged between the mean thoracic/thoracolumbar curve and BVD or PFT values.
Conclusions: This study strongly endorses further investigation into ST scanning as an alternative to traditional PFTs for assessing pulmonary volumes. The noncontact and noninvasive nature of ST scanning presents a valuable alternative method for analyzing thoracic volume, particularly beneficial for patients unable to cooperate with standard PFTs.
Article: Novel Surface Topographic Assessment of Lung Volume and Pulmonary Function Tests in Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Preliminary Study.
Authors: Jessica H Heyer, MD; Jenna L Wisch, BA; Kiran K Nagra, BA; Ankush Thakur, BSE; Howard J Hillstrom, PhD; Benjamin N Groisser, PhD; Colson P Zucker, BA; Matthew E Cunningham, MD, PhD; M Timothy Hresko, MD; Ram Haddas, PhD; John S Blanco, MD; Mary F Di Maio, MD; Roger F Widmann, MD. Hospital for Special Surgery, New York Coty, USA and Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.