Using Radiation-free Ultrasound for Screening Scoliosis Among School Children in Hong Kong to Reduce Unnecessary X-ray Exposure
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Adolscent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Basic parameters: No limits · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Hong Kong
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Introduction Scoliosis is a three dimensional spinal deformity, in the coronal plane, sagittal and transverse planes. The conventional method for assessment of severity of scoliosis is by measuring the Cobb angle on x-ray radiographs of the whole spine. The drawback with x-ray radiography is that it involves radiation. In light of this, a radiation-free ultrasound imaging system, the Scolioscan, has been developed for quantitative assessment of spinal deformity. This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of Scolioscan for screening scoliosis among school children in Hong Kong. Benefit and harm The results of this study will carry significant impacts in that if Scolioscan is proven to be accurate for screening scoliosis among school children, it can be incorporated in the algorithm for screening scoliosis with the intention of reducing unnecessary x-ray exposure. Scolioscan is a radiation-free ultrasound system. Procedures 1. This is a longitudinal study on school children screened for scoliosis at the Student Health Service Centres of Department of Health. If the subject and the guardians agree to participate in the study, ultrasound scanning of the spine using the Scolioscan will be performed. No additional visit is required beyond the routine practice. Clinical assessment of apical rotation of the spine with the subjects bending forward will also be measured using a Scoliometer at the first clinic visit and subsequent clinic follow- up visits at Prince of Wales Hospital. Specialist care for the back problem and scoliosis will be continued at Prince of Wales Hospital as needed. 2. Subjects will be identified at the Student Health Service Centres of Department of Health, Hong Kong. Those who fulfill the recruitment criteria and their guardians will be given full explanation of the study and be invited to participate in the study. During the scanning procedure with the Scolioscan, clients will be asked to stand steadily in different postures, namely erect, right side-bending and left side-bending within the comfort level of the clients. Ultrasound gel will be applied on the back and ultrasound images will be taken along the spine. The scanning itself may last for 1 minute for each posture.
Primary outcome measures
- Accuracy of ultrasound in detecting cases with a radiological cobb angle of more than 20 degrees [Time frame: Baseline]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Cobb angle progression [Time frame: 1 year]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- referred for scoliosis screening
Exclusion criteria
- extreme body stature
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Hong Kong · 1 center
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Hong Kong
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07490886 · 001 · 2025-391-T