Reliability of Cranio-Vertebral Relationships in Normal Head Posture Using Modified Lateral Cephalometrics

Abstract

Cranio-vertebral bony relationships were studied in 23 subjects between the ages of 20 and 67 years of age to assess reliability of normal head position using lateral cephalometric radiographs without using ear rods. Radiographs were taken on two different sessions, two days apart. Two investigators traced each radiograph; reference points were marked and measured. Statistical analysis demonstrated that this method provided consistent measurements and reliability between raters and between sessions, indicating that normal head posture using bony spinal and cranial landmarks is consistent over the duration of this study. We advocate using this method to document patient posture as a means of evaluating and re-assessing treatment interventions.

Keywords:

• Posture
• Skull
• Spine
• Cephalometry
• Reproducibility of Results