Magnetic resonance of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract The following work aims to assess the feasibility of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique in the assessment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). At present, three modalities have proven to be worthy in this application. These are general radiography, computerised tomography (CT) and MRI. General radiography and CT have been the traditional methods, but carry some significant disadvantages including the use of ionising radiation. MRI, given its reliability, accuracy and lack of ionising radiation, has become the modality of choice for a wide range of applications including neurological and spinal conditions. In this study, measurements of axial images of the scoliotic spine were performed and inter‐observer variations were compared. The study, using MRI techniques, demonstrated favourable and promising results. In four of the measurements performed, absolutely no variations were found. The study also demonstrated a high positive correlation between curve data obtained from general radiography, and the curve data from those same patients using 3D coronal MRI imaging.