Non-invasive growing rod technology is gaining prominence as an alternative treatment option for early onset scoliosis. The principle advantage of this new technology is reducing the number of surgical episodes requiring general anaesthesia. However the integrity of these devices still needs to be monitored on a regular basis. Traditionally this has involved a child having as many as 4 sets of radiographs per year or even more if there has been revision surgery. Postero-anterior (PA) and Lateral (LAT) views are often required. Due to repeated imaging, the cumulative dosage of ionizing radiation may be high [1]. This is especially important in children, as they are highly sensitive to the carcinogenic effects of radiation and have a longer life span in which to reflect this risk. Fig. (1), from the Health Protection Agency (2011) [2] below shows the increased cancer risk secondary to radiation of the spine (lumbar and thoracic) at younger ages. The lifetime cancer risk of radiation at 5 years old is more than double that at 30 years old.

Fig. (1). Demonstrating lifetime cancer risk of lumbar and thoracic spine as a function of age of x ray radiation exposure where the red line represents females and blue line represents males, from the Health Protection Agency (2011) [2].

The amount of radiation in spinal radiographs is relatively high in comparison with radiographs of other areas. Typical effective doses of radiation in adult patients, from Health protection Agency, formerly known as National Radiological Protection Board (1998) are shown in Table 1 [3].

The International Commission for Radiological Protection (ICRP), Report 62 on “Radiological Protection in Biomedical Research” categorises radiation according to the level of risk (Table 2) [4].

This would potentially place spinal radiographs of children in the intermediate risk category (as paediatric patients have twice the lifetime cancer risk shown in the Table 1). Multiple radiographs, which are needed to monitor the distraction of the growing rods, would mean that the radiation exposure would put these paediatric patients at moderate additional risk of lifetime cancer using the categories above. BEIR V (1989) suggested the risk of death from radiation induced cancer for a paediatric patient was 1.6% per 0.1Sv and deduced there could be up to 2 deaths per 1000 scoliosis patient per X ray [5].

Fluoroscopy provides real-time X ray imaging that is especially useful for guiding a variety of diagnostic and interventional procedures. It is commonly used to obtain focused images and involves flash exposure only. This greatly limits the amount of radiation exposure. A study by Geijer et al. found radiation doses in patients with scoliosis with digital exposure (0.16 mSv) was ten times greater compared to that of fluoroscopy (0.017 mSv) [1].

The use of fluoroscopy in the assessment of non-invasive growing rod technology has the theoretical benefits of reduced radiation dose and more precise evaluation of amount of lengthening achieved. As far as we are aware there have been no reports of the use of this technique in the literature. In this study, we have assessed the radiation exposure and cancer induction risk using fluoroscopy and compared it to the same risk if the conventional practice of x-rays were to be continued.

Ten consecutive patients have been evaluated for use of the fluoroscopy technique in assessing distraction and integrity of the implants. All procedures were performed at a single site by the senior author with a senior radiographer. Patients underwent their first lengthening three months following insertion of the non-invasive growing rod as part of their outpatient clinic appointment. No form of analgesia was required. Distraction was achieved using an external remote controller (ERC). The amount of distraction was calculated by the senior author based on predicted spinal growth [6].

An initial training session was undertaken to familiarise the radiographers with the fluoroscopic technique. A phantom spine was used (Plastic dummy of a child) to replicate bone and tissue. A non-invasive growing rod was placed on the phantom spine. This rod has an actuator which houses the lengthening mechanism. Any lengthening gap can be visualised in this region (Fig. 2).

Fig. (2). Fluroscopy images demonstrating expansion of the non-invasive lengthening device. Pre and post distraction.

Fluoroscopy Technique

The phantom was placed prone on a fluoroscopy table. The C-arm was in the frontal position (image intensifier over the table, Fig. 3). Reference points were marked on the phantom’s back to correspond to the actuator section of the rod.

Fig. (3). Fluroscopy suite set up.

Pulse rate setting was 3. The x-ray tube to image intensifier is a standard 80 cm apart. The beam is collimated with an average exposure of 60 Kvp and 0.01 seconds duration.

Using these guidelines, 10 radiographers were asked to obtain images with fluoroscopy of the phantom spine and then acquire the same images of the phantom spine using plain x-rays. Average radiation dose using fluoroscopy was 0.04 μGym2. A plain x-ray of the same phantom spine yielded a radiation dose of 0.5 μGym2.

The average radiation dose was 0.115 mSv (sd 0.0858) with plain x-ray. The average radiation dose with fluoroscopy was 0.0046 mSv (sd 0.00334). Mean radiation exposure difference between the two imaging modalities was 0.1104 mSv (p<0.00296). The level of radiation exposure for each patient has been summarised in Table 3 along with cancer induction risks based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP 103, 2007) [7].

Management of early onset scoliosis is challenging. Traditional surgical treatment has involved the use of growing rods which need to be lengthened periodically. This requires follow up with repeated x-rays to ensure treatment goals are being achieved and identify complications. Due to repeated imaging, the cumulative dosage of ionizing radiation may be high [1]. This principle is especially important in children, as they are highly sensitive to the carcinogenic effects of radiation and have a longer life span in which to reflect this risk.

We have reported a novel approach to the use of fluoroscopy for obtaining images in monitoring the lengthening of non-invasive growing rods in the treatment of early-onset scoliosis. This technique has the main advantage of a reduced effective dose of radiation. It drastically reduces the dose of radiation needed by as much as 40 fold. If the radiation dose from fluoroscopy in this study were compared to x-ray doses recorded by the Health protection Agency (2011) [2] and NRPB (1998) [3] the 40 fold reduction would be considerably higher.

A study by Geijer et al. [1] found radiation doses in scoliosis patients with digital exposure was 0.16 mSv, similar to the average radiation dose seen with pre-operative x-rays in this study. The average radiation dose was 0.004 mSv using fluoroscopy in our patients. This compares favourably to a study by Geijer et al. who reported a higher radiation dose of 0.017mSv using fluoroscopy. Compared to conventional plain radiographic techniques however, both studies demonstrate a drastic reduction in radiation dose when using fluoroscopy. However, in the study by Geijer et al. [1], fluoroscopic images were not localised and entailed 30-40 images stitched together. In this study, fluoroscopy was focused only on the anchor sites and actuator of the growing rod device which constituted a much smaller surface area. Hence the benefits of reduced radiation dose were more profound.

The average dose of radiation required for a single plain x-ray is classified as a minor carcinogenic risk according to ICRP guidelines [3, 4]. However a minimum of 4 radiographs (AP and Lateral views) of the spine per year are needed to monitor growing rods. This would mean a much higher dose of radiation exposure. This potentially places these patients at moderate additional risk of lifetime cancer, using the IRCP guidelines (Table 2) [4]. In comparison, the radiation dose using the fluoroscopic technique would still be in the trivial carcinogenic risk category despite 4 sessions of exposure per year.

We have not encountered any complications using this technique but do recognise that there are some limitations to this technique and the study itself.

We have found that using fluoroscopy is effective in confirming and evaluating distraction of a non-invasive growing rod. The focused imaging taken at the distraction sites provides greater clarity that distraction has occurred and the degree of its extent compared to conventional x-rays. An additional benefit is that if required, distraction can be repeated and images retaken in the same sitting, minimising any potential distress to the child and parent. Imaging may also be used to check anchor points to ensure that there are no major complications with the construct. We have not assessed the clinical efficacy of fluoroscopy because this is not a randomised controlled trial. However, we believe it is an effective investigative tool which compares favourably with conventional plain radiographs. Visualisation of the whole spine and construct is possible with a reduction of magnification properties. This allows evaluation of the Cobb angle and integrity of the growing rod construct. The drawback is that the definition of the bony skeleton is not as clear as conventional x-rays but for the purposes of monitoring the construct it was far superior.

We have not found fluoroscopy to be more difficult than conventional x-rays to perform and the risk of radiation exposure to both parents and radiographer are minimised by taking standard precautions, wearing lead gowns and standing behind a lead screen. Given that fluoroscopy uses less radiation, the risk to both parents and radiographer is small compared to conventional x-rays. Additionally, fluoroscopy uses focused beams with very minimal scatter. All our radiographers have been trained in the use of this technique. We have not noticed an increase in procedure time when compared to conventional x-rays. Using a phantom spine first, enabled us to safely establish the appropriate level of exposure to ensure adequate imaging of the rod and spine. If the quality of the images is poor, the image may be retaken with significantly less radiation exposure compared to repeating another conventional x-ray. Additionally, this can be repeated in the same sitting, reducing any anxiety to the child and parent.

With regards to the study itself, the sample size is small and there was no control group for comparison although a phantom spine was used to establish the settings required for satisfactory images. We also acknowledge the practical constraints determined by local practice with regards to accessibility to fluoroscopy suites. Performing this technique in the outpatient setting may be challenging and does require a greater degree of co-operation by the child initially but this is usually minimal and eased by allowing the parent of the child to be present in the fluoroscopy suite.

Despite these limitations, the benefits of the technique are still evident by the significance in radiation exposure reduction. Additionally, the benefits of a group approach to distractions performed in a dedicated clinic session cannot be underestimated. It is reassuring to parents and children to share their experiences with other families in a similar situation and helps to demystify the distraction process. The waiting area in our children’s x-ray department is often the venue for new found friendships and shared experiences.

The study has shown that fluoroscopy can be used to monitor growing rod devices in children with early onset scoliosis. More importantly, the radiation exposure from this technique compared to plain x-rays is significantly less. The lifetime carcinogenic risk is therefore reduced in these children. We would recommend this technique as a very useful alternative to plain x-rays in settings where this facility is available.

The authors confirm that this article content has no conflict of interest.