Cobb angle
- Integral Diagnostics, Shareholder (ongoing)
- Micro-X Ltd, Shareholder (ongoing)
Updates to Article Attributes
The Cobb angle is the most widely used measurement to quantify the magnitude of spinal deformities, especially in the case of scoliosis, on plain radiographs. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° 4. A Cobb angle can also aid kyphosis or lordosis assessment in the sagittal plane 7.
Measurement
To measure theCobb angle, one must first decide which vertebrae are the end vertebrae of the curve deformity (the terminal vertebrae) – the vertebra whose endplates are most tilted towards each other 4.
Lines are then drawn along the endplates (or the pedicles if the endplates are not properly visualised 8), and the angle between the two lines, where they intersect, measured.
In cases where the curvature is not marked, then the lines will not intersect on the film/monitor, in which case a further two lines can be plotted, each at right angles to the previous lines 1,4.
Most PACS will have a dedicated angle tool to measure this without needing the lines to intersect or need to add the aforementioned lines at right angles.
Interpretation
Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° 4.
A number of limitations of the Cobb angle are recognised and caution should be used in assuming that sequential measurements are correct when little change is evident. Some limitations include 1:
intra-observer and inter-observer variation
(at least: a 5-10°variation)measurement error is well established 9rotation: minor rotation of patients between examinations can significantly change measurements (may be as high as 20° variation); consistent positioning must, therefore, be obtained
diurnal variation: in the same patient on the same day, curvature increases during the day (~5° variation)
Overall, and despite the above-mentioned limitation, if a greater than 10° change in Cobb angle is measured, it is 95% likely to represent a true difference 1.
History and etymology
The Cobb angle was first described in 1948 by American orthopaedic surgeon John R Cobb (1903-1967) 5.
See also
-<p>The <strong>Cobb angle</strong> is the most widely used measurement to quantify the magnitude of spinal deformities, especially in the case of <a href="/articles/scoliosis">scoliosis</a>, on plain radiographs. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° <sup>4</sup>. A Cobb angle can also aid kyphosis or lordosis assessment in the sagittal plane<sup> 7</sup>.</p><h4>Measurement</h4><p>To measure the<strong> </strong>Cobb angle, one must first decide which vertebrae are the end vertebrae of the curve deformity (the terminal vertebrae) – the vertebra whose endplates are most tilted towards each other <sup>4</sup>. </p><p>Lines are then drawn along the endplates (or the pedicles if the endplates are not properly visualised <sup>8</sup>), and the angle between the two lines, where they intersect, measured. </p><p>In cases where the curvature is not marked, then the lines will not intersect on the film/monitor, in which case a further two lines can be plotted, each at right angles to the previous lines <sup>1,4</sup>. </p><p>Most PACS will have a dedicated angle tool to measure this without needing the lines to intersect or need to add the aforementioned lines at right angles. </p><h4>Interpretation</h4><p>Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° <sup>4</sup>.</p><p>A number of limitations of the Cobb angle are recognised and caution should be used in assuming that sequential measurements are correct when little change is evident. Some limitations include <sup>1</sup>:</p><ul>-<li><p>intra-observer and inter-observer variation (at least 5-10° variation) </p></li>-<li><p>rotation: minor rotation of patients between examinations can significantly change measurements (may be as high as 20° variation); consistent positioning must, therefore, be obtained</p></li>-<li><p>diurnal variation: in the same patient on the same day, curvature increases during the day (~5° variation)</p></li>- +<p>The <strong>Cobb angle</strong> is the most widely used measurement to quantify the magnitude of spinal deformities, especially in the case of <a href="/articles/scoliosis">scoliosis</a>, on plain radiographs. Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° <sup>4</sup>. A Cobb angle can also aid kyphosis or lordosis assessment in the sagittal plane<sup> 7</sup>.</p><h4>Measurement</h4><p>To measure the<strong> </strong>Cobb angle, one must first decide which vertebrae are the end vertebrae of the curve deformity (the terminal vertebrae) – the vertebra whose endplates are most tilted towards each other <sup>4</sup>. </p><p>Lines are then drawn along the endplates (or the pedicles if the endplates are not properly visualised <sup>8</sup>), and the angle between the two lines, where they intersect, measured. </p><p>In cases where the curvature is not marked, then the lines will not intersect on the film/monitor, in which case a further two lines can be plotted, each at right angles to the previous lines <sup>1,4</sup>. </p><p>Most PACS will have a dedicated angle tool to measure this without needing the lines to intersect or need to add the aforementioned lines at right angles. </p><h4>Interpretation</h4><p>Scoliosis is defined as a lateral spinal curvature with a Cobb angle of >10° <sup>4</sup>.</p><p>A number of limitations of the Cobb angle are recognised and caution should be used in assuming that sequential measurements are correct when little change is evident. Some limitations include <sup>1</sup>:</p><ul>
- +<li><p>intra-observer and inter-observer variation: a 5° measurement error is well established <sup>9</sup></p></li>
- +<li><p>rotation: minor rotation of patients between examinations can significantly change measurements (may be as high as 20° variation); consistent positioning must, therefore, be obtained</p></li>
- +<li><p>diurnal variation: in the same patient on the same day, curvature increases during the day (~5° variation)</p></li>
References changed:
- 9. Negrini S, Donzelli S, Aulisa A et al. 2016 SOSORT Guidelines: Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment of Idiopathic Scoliosis During Growth. Scoliosis. 2018;13(1):1-48. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8">doi:10.1186/s13013-017-0145-8</a>
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