Semi-automated measurement of the cobb angle from 3D mesh models of the scoliotic spine

Abstract

The Cobb angle is the main diagnostic parameter for evaluating spinal deformities. Traditionally, it is measured on two-dimensional coronal radiographic (X-ray) images. In this study, we present a semi-automated algorithm for the evaluation of the Cobb angle from three-dimensional mesh models of the spine. The method was tested on 22 spine models, and the obtained mean absolute error of 2.89° against reference measurements indicates that the method performs well.