Evaluation of torso shape and asymmetry associated with scoliosis.

This paper presents a technique for evaluating torso shape and asymmetry in scoliosis using indices of point-set data obtained from torso surface scans. Point-set data are the maximum curvature points of a surface scan and contain key shape information. The centroids, distributions and densities of point-set data are indices of shape and asymmetry. The mean-squared deviations of the centroids per-cross-section from the medial plane are indicative of asymmetry. The distribution and density of point-set data are indicative of shape. Evaluations using point-set data indices were 100% in accord with those based on the cosmetic score. Indices of point-set data have more degrees of freedom and were able to distinguish between scans that have similar cosmetic scores.