Effect of automatic landmark identification on CSCPG reconstruction

Scoliosis is a 3D deformation of the human spine. It is evaluated using 3D stereo-radiographic reconstruction from the biplanar x-rays. The combined stereo-corresponding point and geometric (CSCPG) reconstruction algorithm is used for this purpose. The CSCPG reconstruction requires six stereo-corresponding landmarks per vertebra to be identified on the biplanar x-rays. Currently, these landmarks are semi automatically identified. In this paper, the landmark identification procedure is automated and the effect of automated procedures on the accuracy of 3D reconstruction is analyzed. The statistical significance test is performed to compare the accuracies of these reconstructions. The benefits of automated procedure are twofold. It is able to give better reconstruction accuracy and at the same time it also reduces observer variability.