Ultrasound Localization in Thoracic Surgery - is Radiation Reduction Achievable?

The goal of this clinical trial is to see if the investigators can find a safer and quicker way to localize the correct spinal level before the start of thoracic spinal surgery. Currently, this localization is done with the help of spinal needles and fluoroscopy. There are some inherent issues with accuracy due to individual factors such as the type of operating table or the body habitus. The investigators want to know if the use of ultrasound to count ribs and mark the corresponding spinal level would be a quicker and possibly even more accurate than the use of fluoroscopy. Participants who will be approached for this study are those that have already consented to undergo thoracic spinal surgery. Once they have been consented for the study, they will undergo anesthesia as per normal and positioned prone for the intended surgery. At this juncture, the radiographers will be setting up to perform fluoroscopy to confirm the spinal level and for the surgeons to mark the skin. For the purposes of the study, the investigators will use the ultrasound to count the ribs and mark the corresponding spinal level. Participants will undergo fluoroscopy to mark the skin level as well. The investigators are studying to see if the ultrasound method is just as accurate as the traditional fluoroscopy method. The results will be binary and will be recorded. The study ends at this point and no further participation is required from the patient.