When I first took my son to our orthopedic specialist in scoliosis, he requested an imaging exam of Pedro's spine due to a slight imbalance in his waist and also because of my history with the condition.
To my surprise, this exam was not an X-ray, as I had been accustomed to throughout my life, but something new and different called EOS. The doctor explained to me all the benefits of this new way of diagnosing scoliosis and recommended a place for me to have the exam done. So, I decided to write a post about it for you because it is still not widely known, and I understand the importance of sharing this information with as many people as possible. Crooked spine, X-ray, or EOS? Let's find out the difference between them.
Crooked spine, X-ray
Frequently requested by orthopedists and quite common for diagnosing scoliosis, this exam allows the observation of the spine from the cervical region to the region where the vertebral column ends. Through this X-ray, the doctor can measure the Cobb angle to determine the severity of the deformity, assess if there is rotation, and see the patient's entire spine in a panoramic view. It is a painless exam that does not require any prior preparation and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- What are the risks of X-rays?
The thing is, this exam has a low level of radiation, but enough to potentially cause mutations in our DNA, which is why it's considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Crooked spine, EOS
Considered a revolutionary advancement in orthopedic imaging, EOS was born from the brilliant idea of Georges Charpak, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1992. Because it simultaneously captures frontal and lateral images and generates a three-dimensional result, the system used in this exam provides much more precision for the doctor to evaluate the best treatment based on the result. A crucial point about EOS is that it reduces radiation exposure by up to 85% compared to "normal" X-rays, making it increasingly recommended for detecting scoliosis in children and adolescents who need frequent radiography. Another advantage: the new ultra-sensitive X-ray detector allows for quick exams of around 20 seconds, with both 2D and 3D quality. In fact, Pedro's exam was very fast!
- And what are the disadvantages of EOS?
It is still not available in many laboratories in Brazil and it's a bit expensive. Since my son doesn't have a health plan that covers it, we had to pay for it privately.
And you, were you familiar with EOS? Tell me!
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