Using Radiation-free Ultrasound for Screening Scoliosis Among Female School Children in Hong Kong to Reduce Unnecessary X-ray Exposure

"Scolioscan ultrasound system was reported to be reliable and valid for spinal deformity assessment. The system composes of an ultrasound scanner with a linear probe of 10 cm width and frequency range of 4-10MHz, a frame structure and a spatial sensor attached to the ultrasound probe for spatial data capture. Daily calibration will be performed using phantom to assure accuracy of spine image formation and subsequent angle measurement. Subjects will stand on the Scolioscan platform with a standardized posture kept stable with pegs throughout the scanning process. The probe will be steered from L5 to C7 spinous process for scanning. SPA will be used to determine the ultrasound-based Referral Status through predicting whether the Cobb angle is beyond the referral threshold of ≥20° or not. There are two values for the Referral Status: either for specialist referral or not for specialist referral. Coronal Cobb angle measurement on EOS radiographs will be used as gold standard."