Examining Motion in the Cervical Spine. Part I: Imaging Systems and Measurement Techniques
Roozmon P, Gracovetsky SA, Gouw GJ, Newman N.
Journal of Biomedical Engineering
15(1) : 5-12, 1993.
Abstract
Instruments for measuring mobility in the cervical spine range from
plumb-lines and inclinometers to sophisticated optoelectronic systems. In order to
investigate the need and possible uses for an enhancement to a new diagnostic instrument,
we examine some of the available diagnostic systems suitable for cervical motion analysis.
These should be of practical use in a clinical setting for the diagnosis of soft tissue
injuries. We begin by evaluating the respective roles of plain radiographs,
cineradiography, computer tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in examining the
cervical spine. Then we consider Moire photography, inclinometers, and some
opto-electronic scanners, as well as the mathematical techniques needed to correlate skin
and spine motion with these devices. We find that there does not appear to be an effective
non-invasive tool for comprehensive clinical cervical motion analysis; in particular,
coupled joint motion is inadequately quantified. Improperly diagnosed cervical spine
injuries, such as hyperextension and hyperflexion, may result in chronic long-term
effects. Therefore, instrumentation that would permit objective, routine clinical
evaluation of patients could help to avoid such situations.
