Prospective randomized comparison of radiation exposure from full spine radiographs obtained in three different techniques

150 patients with a scoliotic or kyphoscoliotic deformity were included in a study to evaluate three radiography techniques. Patients were randomized to receive a conventional standing postero-anterior full spine radiograph, X-ray using the digital storage phosphor plate system (CR), or digital pulsed fluoroscopy. After the 9 months in which all radiographs were taken, the two digital methods (X ray using the CR system and digital fluoroscopy) were found to have a lower mean dose area product than the conventional full spine radiograph. Although conventional full spine films offered superior image quality, there was no significant difference in interobserver error for Cobb-angle measurements between the three groups.