Ronsky, JanetDubetz, Tyler Paul Arthur2013-01-092015-01-102013-01-092012http://hdl.handle.net/11023/403Surface topography (ST) measurements of scoliotic deformities offer the potential to reduce radiation and to provide a more complete description of the deformity when compared to standard X-rays. These ST measurements must be evaluated within a clinical context to determine their feasibility for clinical and research applications. This study quantifies the variability in a set of developed ST indices and estimates a magnitude of clinically important difference based on current clinical standards. The variability is compared to the clinically important difference to determine if the system is adequate for clinical implementation (individual evaluation) or research implementation (group-to-group comparisons). Nine of ten ST indices were found acceptable for typical research implementation. One of ten ST indices (aspect ratio) was found acceptable for typical clinical implementation. Aspect ratio also shows a trend towards differentiating between progressed and non-progressed scoliosis. However, the estimation of what constitutes clinically important difference should be examined further.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Medicine and SurgeryEngineering--BiomedicalEngineering--MechanicalscoliosisSurface Topographymedical imagingMeasurement errormaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/27490