About UMC Utrecht
The University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) is a leading international university medical center generating, testing, sharing, and applying knowledge on health, illness, and health care for the benefit of patients and society. It is affiliated with the Ultrecht University. The UMC Utrecht comprises the academic hospital, the faculty of Medicine and the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital. Leading scientific research, groundbreaking innovation and collaboration with patients and other interested parties form the basis of their first-rate healthcare.
Their Pain Point and our Solution
- Radiation-free assessment system without the concern on the side effects of radiation
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients are exposed to 9-10 times more radiation and a fivefold increased lifetime cancer risk. Radiation-free imaging alternatives are needed. Although MRI is not ionizing, it is mostly made in supine position, and is expensive and time-consuming, also cortical bone is poorly visible on standard MR imaging. Since 2016, a Scolioscan device, which can provide a 3D image of the spine in upright position using radiation-free methods, has been installed in the UMC Utrecht.
Professor Rene Marten Castelein said: “The experience of using the Scolioscan is quite good and smooth on average. Without the concern on the side effects of radiation, the frequency of using Scolioscan is about 5-10 times per month.”
“Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity. Using Scolioscan device (with an advanced software), we can also measure sagittal spinal curvature and the vertebral rotation, just in one scan. “
Professor Rene Marten Castelein added, “We used Scolioscan for diagnostic imaging follow-up in patients with mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis that visit the outpatient clinic of the UMC Utrecht, sometimes in combination with a spinal radiograph. “
Figure 1-2. Professor Castelein was sharing the findings on a study using Scolioscan device installed in the UMC Utrecht
Introduction of Prof. Rene Castelein
Figure 3. Professor Castelein
- Positions and Honors:
Positions and Employment
2003 – present Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht
2002 – present Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
2008 – 2011 Chairman of the Division of Surgical Specialties, University Medical Center Utrecht 2003 – 2009 Head of the Specialist Training Program, UMC Utrecht, The Netherlands
1996 – 2002 Head of the Specialist Training Program, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands
1988 – 2002 Orthopaedic Surgeon, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands
Other Experience and Professional Memberships
2015 – 2017 President Nordic Spinal Deformities Society (NSDS)
2015 – 2018 President International Research Society of Spinal Deformities (IRSSD) 2011 – present Board Member International Group for Advancement in Spinal Science 2016 – 2019 Visiting Professor University of Poznan, Poland
2016 Visiting Professor University of Montreal
2013 – 2018 Visiting Professor Chinese University of Hong Kong
2010 – 2012 Vice President Dutch Orthopedic Society
1992 – 1999 Scientific Secretary Dutch Orthopedic Society
Honors and Awards
2017 Yves Cotrel Foundation Award on the Etio-pathogenesis of Idiopathic Scoliosis
2015 Alexandre Suerman MD PhD Stipendium
2011 Alexandre Suerman MD PhD Stipendium
2006 Yves Cotrel Foundation Award on the Etio-pathogenesis of Idiopathic Scoliosis