Idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents: assessment with a biplanar X-ray device

UNLABELLED Idiopathic scoliosis is one of the most common conditions encountered in paediatric practice. It is a three-dimensional (3D) spinal deformity. Conventional radiography is still the modality of choice for evaluation of children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, but it requires repeat radiographs until skeletal maturity is reached and does not provide information about spinal deformity in all three planes. A biplanar X-ray device is a new technique that enables standing frontal and lateral radiographs of the spine to be obtained at lowered radiation doses. With its specific software, this novel vertical biplanar X-ray unit provides 3D images of the spine and offers the opportunity of visualising the spinal deformity in all three planes. This pictorial review presents our experience with this new imaging system in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. KEY POINTS • The biplanar X-ray device produces two orthogonal spine X-ray images in a standing position. • The biplanar X-ray device can assess idiopathic scoliosis with a lower radiation dose. • The biplanar X-ray device provides 3D images of the spine.