May bending radiographs be replaced by recumbent CT scans in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

Purpose There is no data that show if it is possible to determine if a curve is structural or non-structural or to assess flexibility of an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by recumbent images like a CT scan (CTS) instead of bending radiographs (BR). We investigated if the results of BR may be compared to those of CTS. Methods We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data of patients with AIS in whom a selective spinal fusion was performed and in whom a CTS, BR, and full spine x-rays were made preoperatively. We measured the Cobb angles of the main and the minor curve in full spine x-ray, BR, and CTS. Results After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 39 patients were included. We found a strong correlation ( r = 0.806, p