During treatment for scoliosis with the Schroth Method and/or Cheneau-Gensingen Bracing, patients may be required to undergo a number of x-rays to assess the magnitude of their curvature. Today X-ray is still the gold standard for identifying and measuring a scoliosis.¹

Researchers have calculated that scoliosis patients that have regular exposure to radiation have a small increased risk of cancer due to radiation exposure of 0.08–0.17%. Females statistically are at higher risk than male patients due to exposure of breast tissue.²

In order to reduce the radiation exposure we refer for EOS X-rays. While providing us with an excellent image, they expose the patient to a reduced amount of radiation. Luo et al. found that EOS delivers approximately 50% less radiation than a normal X-ray.

To further reduce the exposure to sensitive tissues such as the breast we request our X-rays are taken posterior-anterior (PA – back to front) instead of anterior-posterior (AP – front to back). An AP X-ray is the standard adopted by radiology departments in Australia, we request our EOS X-rays are taken PA as it reduces the radiation exposure by 8 times lower dosage to the breasts and 4 times lower dosage to the thyroid than a AP EOS X-ray.³

We are able to order EOS X-rays through a number of providers in Australia. If you would like further information please contact us on 03 9787 7702.

1. Knott et al. SOSORT 2012 consensus paper: reducing x-ray exposure in pediatric patients with scoliosis. Scoliosis 2014, 9:4
2. Law M et al. Cumulative radiation exposure and associated cancer risk estimates for scoliosis patients: Impact of repetitive full spine radiography. March 2016 Volume 85, Issue 3
3. Luo et al. Cumulative Radiation Exposure With EOS Imaging Compared With Standard Spine Radiographs. Spine Deformity March 2015 Volume 3, Issue 2