Precise Cobb Angle Measurement System Based on Spinal Images Merging Function

Background: Convenient and precise measurement of the Cobb angle using a small size X-ray detector has been required for local clinics. Methods: Cobb angle measurement system using a conventional X-ray source and detector is proposed for accurate Cobb angle measurement. The system consists of a conventional X-ray source, a ruler-added Xray table, a conventional X-ray detector, and an image processing program. The X-ray table has the lead ruler patterns. The patterns remain white ruler patterns on X-ray images. The proposed image processing program merges the three spinal X-ray images into one whole spinal X-ray image by detecting the ruler patterns on the three spinal X-ray images. Results: In order to evaluate our program. Cobb angle measured in the merged image is compared with Cobb angle measured in the X-ray image taken by a large X-ray detector. Average of difference between them is 2.251 degree and standard deviation is 1.339. Conclusion: The developed measurement system demonstrated its measurement performance accurately and practically. (C) 2018 AGBM. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.