EOSedge scanner

Every person is unique and each person’s spine is different. The form of the spine changes over time, as we grow and age, and can also change due to an illness affecting this part of the body. This is why making a precise diagnosis is essential to apply the appropriate treatment. At Instituto Clavel we have the EOS technology to achieve this.

Studies over the past 15 years have taught us that there are different types of healthy spines, with different shapes and morphologies, and depending on the type, they require radically different treatment and planning. The different forms of healthy spine described in the Roussouly classification are determined by a set of spinopelvic parameters, which defined by the measurement of angles and distances between the head, spine, pelvis and legs.

Nowadays, spinal surgery should never be performed without taking these parameters into account, because the success of the surgery will depend on having applied the technique that is right one for the pathology and right for the shape of spine of the patient suffering the pathology. 

The study of the equilibrium or overall balance of the spine has become fundamental for modern spinal surgery. However, conventional radiological examinations are not effective for studying this issue. In fact, there have always been x-rays for the study of scoliosis (scoliograms), but with a side-view image that does not show the posture of the whole body or the pelvis and, therefore, is not useful for calculating the spinopelvic parameters.

It has long been known, that in the detection and monitoring of juvenile scoliosis, a full-body standing x-ray is important to make a correct diagnosis. Since a spinal MRI or CT scan is performed with the patient lying down, they do not provide complete information, such as the degree of scoliosis, which can only be determined if the patient is standing.

Traditionally, in order to obtain the correct visualization of these structures, multiple high-dose x-rays had to be taken (and still are), exposing the patient to too much radiation and obtaining a poor result for analysis. The EOS technology now provides a solution to this problem.EOSedge scanner

 

 

What is EOSedge and how does it work?

The EOS system is a high-resolution radiographic imaging installation that allows two full-body, head to toe, x-ray scans, both from the front and in profile. With the microdose technology that it uses, we can acquire a complete scan of the skeleton with the patient in a standing position, with a radiation dose that is 6 times less than one conventional x-ray of any part of the body.

It provides us with a frontal and lateral view of the bone structure of the patient’s skeleton, which will enable not only a full analysis of the spine, but also of other body parts such as the knees, hips or feet.

The images will be converted to DICOM format and transferred to a workstation where a specialized technician will use the installed biometric software to perform the basic spinal and global balance calculations for a correct analysis of the spine. In addition, the software program interprets the data, to evaluate the posture of the patient and determine whether it is normal or pathological.

The images are stored in a workstation where the specialists of Instituto Clavel will be able to carry out further biometric analysis and 3D reconstructions of the spine, or project simulations of the surgery in cases where that is needed.

When is it used?

At Instituto Clavel we believe that making an overall analysis of spinal balance is essential to the analysis of all spine related problems. So for our patients, this analysis would be like the "spine ID", which will help us determine the precise treatment for each patient's pathology.

That’s why, at Instituto Clavel, we request a complete EOS full-body scan for every patient making a first visit to us for a problem related to the spine. 

What are the benefits for the patient?

The benefits provided by a full-body EOS scan are:

 

  • High quality full-body standing x-ray image of the patient, from front and side views.
  • Low-dose radiation, 6 times less than a regular x-ray.
  • Biometric analysis of all the spinal parameters. Classification of type of curve and analysis of pathological deviation of the spine.
  • Highly valuable information with the patient standing, which will be compiled with the NMR and scan of the spine.
  • We can evaluate a range of bone structures in a single screening, from head to toes, providing useful information for other specialists.
  • Optional screening to detect and monitor the development of scoliosis.
  • Analysis of the parameters of the lower limbs to calculate the leg length differences to evaluate hip or knee problems.

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