“Since the arrival of the Scolioscan® ultrasound scoliosis assessment system to our center in 2016, five to ten clinic imaging sessions are performed each month for mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients, occasionally combined with spinal radiographs for analysis.

Overall, the experience of using the Scolioscan® evaluation system has been very good and smooth, and I no longer need to worry about the side effects of radiation when using it.”

——Prof. René M. Castelein, UMC Utrecht

Introduction of Prof. Rene Castelein

Prof. René M. Castelein is the former head of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands and has served as President of the International Society for Spinal Deformity Research, President of the Nordic Spinal Deformity Society and on the Board of Directors of the International Organization for the Advancement of Spine Science. He has published approximately 200 scientific research papers and books, has given guest lectures on almost every continent, and is the inventor, along with his colleague Dr. Moyo Kruyt, of the patented spinal implant.

Figure 3. Professor Castelein

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

Head of the specialist training program at the University of Utrecht Medical Center

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

2011- present Current member of the Board of Directors of the International Organization for the Advancement of Spine Science

2016 – 2019 Visiting Professor, Poznan University, Poland

2016 Visiting Professor, Montréal University

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

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. “

Figure 1-2. Professor Castelein was sharing the findings on a study using Scolioscan device installed in the UMC Utrecht

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. “