Thoracic and Lumbar Lines of Mensuration (Exam 1)

Question 1

What are the 2 methods for measuring scoliosis?

Answer 1

1) Cobb method/ Cobb-Lippman method (preferred)
2) Risser-Ferguson method

Question 2

What is the other name for Cobb method of scoliosis?

Answer 2

Cobb-Lippman method

Question 3

Which line assessments use A->P thoracic/lumbar view?

Answer 3

1) Cobb method/ Cobb-Lippman method
2) Risser-Ferguson method

Question 4

What is the procedure for cobb method?

Answer 4

-locate end vertebrae on either end of the scoliosis (superior and inferior); the end plates tilt to the side of curvature concavity
-superior end: a line is drawn parallel and through the superior end plate
-inferior end: a line is drawn parallel and through the inferior end plate
-perpendicular lines are then drawn off of both end plate lines until they intersect
-the acute angle is measured

Question 5

What is the normal measurement for cobb method?

Answer 5

there is no normal because this is a scoliosis assessment

Question 6

If scoliosis curvature is <20 degrees=

Test 1 q

Answer 6

no bracing or surgery needed

*** if in children 10-15 y/o monitor changes every 3 months

Question 7

If scoliosis curvature is 20-40 degrees=

Test 1 q

Answer 7

braced, surgery for cosmetic reasons

Question 8

If scoliosis curvature is >40 degrees=

Answer 8

Harrington rods/Dwyer procedure

Question 9

What is the procedure for Risser-Ferguson method?

Answer 9

-locate the ends of the scoliosis as in the Cobb method
-locate the vertebrae that is the most laterally placed in the curve (apical vertebra)
-locate vertebral body centers, this is done by drawing diagonals from opposite corners of the vertebral bodies
-draw 2 lines connecting the apical vertebra with the vertebra at either end of the curvature
-the acute angle is measured

Question 10

Which line assessment uses lateral thoracic view?

Answer 10

thoracic kyphosis

Question 11

What is the procedure for thoracic kyphosis assessment?

Answer 11

-line is drawn parallel to and through the superior endplate of the T1 vertebral body
-similar line is drawn through the inferior endplate of the T12 vertebral body
-perpendicular lines to these endplates are then drawn
-the acute angle is measured

Question 12

What is the normal for thoracic kyphosis?

Answer 12

there is no normal

Question 13

What are Schmorl’s nodes?

Answer 13

disc material herniates into segment above or below

Question 14

Increased thoracic kyphosis is due to….

Test 1 q

Answer 14

-old age
-osteoporosis
-scheuermanns disease
-congenital anomalies
-muscular paralysis
-cystic fibrosis

Question 15

Does thoracic kyphosis increase or decrease with age?

Answer 15

increases

Question 16

Is thoracic kyphosis greater in females or males?

Answer 16

females

Question 17

Decreased thoracic kyphosis alters what?

Answer 17

intracardiac blood flow and results in heart murmurs

Question 18

Which line assessments use lateral lumbar view?

Answer 18

1) lumbar lordosis
2) Ulman’s line/ Garland-Thomas line
3) Eisenstein’s lumbar method for sagittal canal measurement

Question 19

What is the procedure for lumbar lordosis assessment?

Answer 19

-line drawn parallel and through the superior endplate of L1
-line drawn parallel and through the superior endplate of S1
-perpendiculars are drawn off of both lines; posterior to the lumbar spine
-acute angle is measured

Question 20

What are the normal measurements for lumbar lordosis?

Answer 20

50-60 degrees

Question 21

What does it mean if someone has >60 degrees of lumbar lordosis?

Answer 21

hyperlordosis

Question 22

What does it mean if someone has <50 degrees of lumbar lordosis?

Answer 22

hypolordosis

Question 23

altered lumbar curve results in….

Answer 23

LBP

Question 24

What is the other name for Ullman’s line?

test q

Answer 24

Garland-Thomas line

Question 25

What is the procedure for Ullman’s line assessment?

Answer 25

-2 lines are drawn
-one parallel to and through the sacral base
-other is perpendicular to the 1st line at the anterior margin of the sacral base
-relationship of the 5th lumbar body to this perpendicular line is then assessed

Question 26

What is the normal measurement for Ullman’s line?

Answer 26

5th lumbar body should lie posterior to or just contact the perpendicular line

Question 27

What may cause false positive on Ullman’s line assessment?

Answer 27

significant loss of lumbar lordosis or long pedicles

Question 28

Which line assessment is used as a screening for spondylolisthesis?

Answer 28

Ullman’s line

Question 29

What is the Meyerding’s grading method of sponylolithesis?

Answer 29

scale of 1-4, 4 being the most slippage

Question 30

What is the procedure for Meyerding’s grading method of sponylolithesis?

Answer 30

-divide sacral base into 4 quadrants
-number quadrants P->A
-extended George’s line will fall into 1 quadrant
-measure how much into that grade/quadrant there is slippage in mm

Question 31

Which line assessment is used as a screening for facet imbrication (facets overlap)?

Answer 31

Hardley’s S curve

Question 32

Which line assessment uses oblique and A->P lumbar view?

test q

Answer 32

Hardley’s S curve

Question 33

What is the procedure for Hardley’s S curve?

Answer 33

curvilinear line is drawn along the inferior margin of the transverse process and down along the inferior articular process to the apophyseal joint space

Question 34

What is the normal measurement for Hardley’s S curve?

Answer 34

the line should be a smooth S across the joint space