Incidence of surgery in conservatively treated patients with scoliosis

The effectiveness of bracing and the effectiveness of conservative treatment of scoliosis as a whole is widely denied and rejected. We therefore carried out the present study in order to establish whether the work involved in the conservative treatment of scoliosis is reasonable and worthwhile, including as it does the education of patients, techniques of brace moulding, time-consuming follow-ups and the strain put on patients by the treatment itself. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of the incidence of surgery in patients with scoliosis presenting every kind of aetiology. To improve comparison with data already published by other centres, this group of patients was matched with the study design of the control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1992, in addition to the intensive inpatient rehabilitation programme developed at our centre, we have also been practising moulding techniques according to Chêneau in order to construct scoliosis orthoses of high correction. For the purposes of this study we chose a number of scoliosis patients from our data bank who had had conservative treatment at our centre between 1993 and 1996. All the patients, like those of the untreated control group, were at least 15 years of age at the time they were last investigated or questioned. The incidence of surgery in our group was compared statistically with data published by other centres. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-three patients (females only) with a curvature of 33.4 degrees (SD = 18.9) were included in our study and could be followed up under the described pre-conditions. Forty-one patients (11.95%) had had surgery. In patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, we found an incidence of surgery of only 7.3% compared with 28% in the control group with the same diagnosis. Statistically, therefore, the incidence of surgery in our group was highly significantly lower than the incidence of surgery in the control group from Ireland and other centres described in literature. CONCLUSIONS: The conservative treatment of scoliosis (which includes outpatient physiotherapy, inpatient intensive scoliosis rehabilitation (SIR) and high-correction-effect bracing based on plastercasting) shows an obvious reduction in the rate of surgery in patients with idiopathic scoliosis compared with untreated scoliosis patients. Thus it can be seen that the conservative treatment of scoliosis may reduce the incidence of surgery, which not only causes considerable medical expenses but also carries with it the risk of repeated operations and further complications. In our study, we also found highly significant differences by comparison with the work of a bracing centre in the USA. Therefore, the quality of the bracing itself and the effects of primary correction must receive greater consideration in future scientific studies on the subject of "conservative" treatment of scoliosis.     

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a review of current concepts

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a common condition which is routinely seen in the outpatient department, with a prevalence of 5% in general population. It is important to be able to make this diagnosis but more importantly exclude other causes of scoliosis by carrying out a thorough history and examination. This paper will cover the pathophysiology, presentation, examination, and surgical management of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.     

Radiological and cosmetic improvement 2 years after brace weaning--a case report

In the early international literature, up to now only very few cases are reported with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and a significant improvement of Cobb angle after conservative management. In the recent literature the possibility of an improvement of Cobb angle at skeletal maturity after brace treatment is mentioned no more. The application of physiotherapy and braces is widely rejected while the standards of conservative measures differ greatly worldwide. So it seems necessary more than ever to present the possibility of successful conservative measures nowadays. More detailed case reports with long-term follow-up using defined protocols are needed to provide appropriate standards for replication by others. The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate the possibility of significant improvement of curvature angle and cosmesis after the application of long-term physiotherapy and brace treatment in a girl with a curve of more than 50 degrees where spontaneous resolving is not usual. A pre-menarchial girl (although being Risser 2) with a Cobb angle of 53 degrees was treated by exercises and curve-specific bracing for more than 3 years. Two years after the start of the weaning period, the Cobb angle was 36 degrees with a marked and stable cosmetic improvement at the age of 18 years. This case report shows that conservative treatment can improve both cosmesis and curvature in immature patients with AIS. The results of such treatment is appreciated by the patients because of the significant reduction of the truncal deformity as documented by surface topography.     

Rehabilitation of adolescent patients with scoliosis--what do we know? A review of the literature

Different opinions exist about the efficacy of conservative scoliosis treatment. Because this divergence of opinion corresponds to a great variety of standards applied, it is also not surprising that the results of conservative treatment differ a lot. Scoliosis normally does not have such dramatic effects that immediate surgery would be indicated. Moreover, it is clear that functional and physiological impairments of scoliosis patients--including pain, torso deformity, psychological disturbance and pulmonary dysfunction--require therapeutic intervention. The triad of out-patient physiotherapy, intensive in-patient rehabilitation and bracing has proven effective in conservative scoliosis treatment in central Europe. Indication, content and results of the individual treatment procedures are described and discussed. The positive outcomes of this practice validate a policy of offering conservative treatment as an alternative to scoliosis patients, including those for whom surgery is discussed.     

青少年特发性脊柱侧凸矫形术后adding-on现象的研究进展

青少年特发性脊柱侧凸矫形术后adding-on现象时有发生,常见于LenkeⅠ、LekeⅡ型的青少年特发性脊柱侧凸患儿。通常导致脊柱侧弯的矫正度数丢失,躯干冠状面失平衡,进而可能导致矫形手术失败,最终需要翻修手术。该问题一直困扰着小儿脊柱外科医师,同时增加患儿痛苦和治疗费用,因此研究分析青少年特发性脊柱侧凸矫形术后发生adding-on现象的危险因素以指导临床治疗很有必要。本文就adding-on现象发生的危险因素、预防策略等最新文献进行回顾,以期全面认识此并发症,并为矫形手术提供帮助,希望能减少此现象的发生。     

经前路短节段固定矫形治疗青少年特发性脊柱侧弯的探讨

目的 探讨经前路手术短节段矫形治疗青少年特发性胸/腰段脊柱侧弯的临床疗效,总结分析其并发症.方法 回顾性分析我院2000年1月～2007年12月行前路手术矫形治疗的62例青少年特发性胸\腰段脊柱侧弯.胸段特发性脊柱侧弯39例,术前Cobb角45°～75°(平均53.6°);腰段特发性脊柱侧弯23例,术前Cobb角43°～72°,平均51.7°.术前均进行详细的临床和影像学检查评估.胸段脊柱侧弯患儿均行肺功能测定,对于最大肺活量小于50%的患儿行吹气球等肺功能锻炼达手术要求.按影像学资料拟定同定节段及融合范围.结果 62例患儿均顺利完成手术.胸段脊柱侧弯平均融合4.2个,Cobb角矫正至术后的3°～18°,平均8.5°,平均矫正率为84.1%;腰段脊柱侧弯平均融合4.5个,Cobb角矫正至术后的1°～16°,平均7.9°,平均矫正率为84.7%.发生自发性血胸1例,交感神经损伤8例,医源性平背畸形1例,肠系膜上动脉综合征1例.结论 青少年特发性胸/腰段脊柱侧弯经前路短节段同定可取得良好的矫形效果,充分的术前计划及认真的术中操作可有效减少围手术期和远期并发症的发生.     

Spinal ganglioneuroma mimicking adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The authors report a 12-year-old girl who presented with a 2-year progressive painless thoracic scoliosis. Her previous development had been normal with no significant past history of illness. MRI revealed a thoracic ganglioneuroma, which was confirmed by surgical pathology. Ganglioneuroma might cause progressive spinal deformity mimicking adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A careful preoperative survey is mandatory for patients diagnosed with scoliosis with a rigid or rapidly progressive curve. The authors recommend a combination of neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery to treat this condition.     

女性青少年特发性胸椎侧弯的胸椎矢状面形态对支具治疗效果的影响

目的 探讨女性青少年特发性胸椎侧弯患儿初诊时胸椎矢状面形态对支具治疗期间侧弯进展的预测价值.方法 回顾性分析2002年1月至2008年12月70例接受规范化支具治疗的女性青少年特发性胸椎侧弯患儿资料.测量初诊和末次随访时的Cobb角、初诊胸椎后凸角,并记录初诊时的年龄、Risser征、月经状态等参数.分析末次随访时的侧弯变化情况,末次随访Cobb角大于初诊5°以上或治疗期间接受矫形手术者定义为支具治疗失败,其余为治疗成功.运用卡方检验和Logistic回归分析探讨影响支具治疗效果的因素.结果 患儿初诊时年龄平均为(12.6±1.2)岁,主弯Cobb角平均为30.2°±5.5°,随访时间平均为(2.7±1.1)年,末次随访主弯Cobb角平均为29.6°±8.0°.支具治疗失败患儿19例(27.1％),成功51例(72.9％).卡方检验发现支具治疗失败组以月经初潮未至、低Risser 征(0～1级)以及低初诊年龄(10～13岁)居多.Logistic同归分析表明月经初潮未至(OR=21.162,P=0.007)是支具治疗后侧弯进展的独立预测因素,而胸椎后凸形态与侧弯进展无明显相关性.结论 通过早期规范化支具治疗,大部分脊柱侧弯进展可得到控制.患儿的生长发育状态是影响支具疗效的重要因素,而初诊时胸椎矢状面形态与支具治疗期间侧弯的进展无明显相关性.     

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Cardiac Valve Anomalies in Idiopathic Scoliosis

The prevalence of asymptomatic cardiac valve anomalies was determined in 82 patients (69 females and 13 males) diagnosed as having idiopathic scoliosis and scheduled for corrective surgery (mean age at surgery 16.3 years). The preoperative study in each patient included echocardiography and ultrasound Doppler. Twenty-three valvular anomalies were found in 20 patients (24.4%). The most frequent was mitral valve prolapse. The occurrence of valvular anomalies did not correlate with sex, curve magnitude, or age at diagnosis. Eighteen patients presented a total of 20 comorbid conditions: positive family history of scoliosis (five cases), isthmic spondylolisthesis (five cases), nervous anorexia (two cases), hereditary exostosis, cystic fibrosis, ureteral stenosis, mammary hypoplasia, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, psoriasis, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance. A significant relationship was found between valvular anomalies and comorbidity. Valvular anomalies were detected in 11 out of 64 patients (17.2%) with no comorbidity and in nine out of 18 patients (50%) with a comorbid condition (Chi-square 8.2, p = 0.004). In this latter group of patients, routine echocardiographic study seems advisable in the preoperative evaluation.     

Symptomatic spondylolysis: diagnosis and treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Approximately 35% of adolescents experience back pain. In athletic adolescents, spondylolysis is the most common offending cause. With growing numbers of adolescents participating in sports with higher levels of intensity, spondylolysis is becoming an increasingly common clinical problem. RECENT FINDINGS: A recent report demonstrated the benign natural history of asymptomatic spondylolysis. However, long-term follow-up studies of patients who experience painful spondylolysis as adolescents remain unavailable. Modern imaging modalities have led to earlier diagnosis with greater accuracy. Conservative management with bracing continues to be a mainstay of treatment. In patients who are not helped by conservative therapy, recent studies have demonstrated the satisfactory long-term results of surgical repair. SUMMARY: The long-term sequelae of symptomatic spondylolysis and unhealed pars defects require investigation. MRI promises to be a valuable tool for diagnosis and clinical stratification, but further studies are necessary to demonstrate its clinical utility.     

Estimating the final outcome of brace treatment for idiopathic thoracic scoliosis at 6-month follow-up

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted on the possibility of predicting the final outcome of bracing for idiopathic scoliosis at a follow-up period of 6 months. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 62 adolescent female patients with right thoracic scoliosis (20-40 degrees Cobb angle) treated with a brace were examined. A new compliance score was developed. The sample was divided into four groups based on compliance (compliance score) and initial correction (half-year after start bracing): group A, good compliance/high initial correction; group B, good compliance/low initial correction; group C, bad compliance/high initial correction; group D, bad compliance/low initial correction. The final outcome (1 year after weaning) was defined as successful if a curve correction of at least 5 degrees was achieved. The influence of factors on final outcome was analysed by ANOVA. Differences between continuous data were analysed by a two-sample Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: The overall final outcome was not successful (thoracic curve -3 degrees). However, the average outcome of the compliant group was successful (-5 degrees), while no success was achieved without good compliance (+5 degrees). High initial correction of more than 40% (p < 0.002) and good compliance (p< 0.004) were of significant impact for the outcome. Patients showing good compliance and high initial correction presented a successful outcome of 7 degrees Cobb angle. CONCLUSION: Compliant patients with a high initial correction can expect a final correction of around 7 degrees, while compliant patients with low initial correction may maintain the curve extent. Bad compliance is always associated with curve progression.     

Conservative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: can it reduce the incidence of surgical treatment?

Since 1986, the authors have been conducting conservative treatment for idiopathic scoliosis with the combination of brace treatment and physical treatment (side shift exercise and hitch exercise). A total of 328 female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were at least 10 years of age at the first visit, with Cobb angle of 10 degrees at the minimum and followed until after 15 years of age or skeletal maturity were included. The average Cobb angle was 32.4 degrees and the average age was 13.8 years at the first visit. Surgery was recommended when curvature progressed to >50 degrees. Twenty of 328 patients (6.1%) with more severe curves to begin with (mean Cobb angle at admission of 48.5 +/- 9.3 degrees ) progressed to 62.2 +/- 8.5 degrees and were treated with spinal fusion by the age of 16.0 +/- 2.6 years. The remaining 308 patients, of comparable age at inception of treatment but with a smaller original mean Cobb angle (32.4 +/- 11.1 degrees ), showed no significant increase in magnitude of curvature (mean 33.6 +/- 11.5 degrees ) by the time of discharge (18.6 +/- 3.1 years). The fact that curvature magnitude was maintained at <35 degrees means that these patients will have a good prognosis for avoiding dramatic progression during adulthood.     

Hardware complications in scoliosis surgery

BACKGROUND: Scoliosis surgery has undergone a dramatic evolution over the past 20 years with the advent of new surgical techniques and sophisticated instrumentation. Surgeons have realized scoliosis is a complex multiplanar deformity that requires thorough knowledge of spinal anatomy and pathophysiology in order to manage patients afflicted by it. Nonoperative modalities such as bracing and casting still play roles in the treatment of scoliosis; however, it is the operative treatment that has revolutionized the treatment of this deformity that affects millions worldwide. As part of the evolution of scoliosis surgery, newer implants have resulted in improved outcomes with respect to deformity correction, reliability of fixation, and paucity of complications. Each technique and implant has its own set of unique complications, and the surgeon must appreciate these when planning surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various surgical techniques and types of instrumentation typically used in scoliosis surgery are briefly discussed. Though scoliosis surgery is associated with a wide variety of complications, only those that directly involve the hardware are discussed. The current literature is reviewed and several illustrative cases of patients treated for scoliosis at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the Newington Children's Hospital in Connecticut are briefly presented. CONCLUSION: Spine surgeons and radiologists should be familiar with the different types of instrumentation in the treatment of scoliosis. Furthermore, they should recognize the clinical and roentgenographic signs of hardware failure as part of prompt and effective treatment of such complications.     

The management of scoliosis

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional, growth-related deformity of the immature spine. Although most cases are idiopathic, this is a diagnosis of exclusion, which can only be made after other less common causes have been eliminated. A careful history, thorough clinical examination and radiographs of the whole spine will often allow the aetiology of the deformity to be identified. MRI is extremely useful in the investigation of children under the age of 12 years and adolescents with atypical curves. Because scoliosis may behave unpredictably, serial observation of the child is required. If there is evidence of significant deterioration of the curve, then treatment with either bracing or surgery is necessary. These treatments and the general indications for their use are outlined, and the specific management of the most common types of scoliosis is then discussed in more detail.     

婴幼儿期背部烫伤致青少年瘢痕挛缩性脊柱侧弯

目的 探讨婴幼儿期背部烫伤所致青少年瘢痕挛缩性脊柱侧弯的发病机制、临床表现和治疗方法。方法 1997年8月～2003年6月共诊治各类儿童及青少年脊柱侧弯7000余例，其中仅有2例为瘢痕挛缩性脊柱侧弯，均伴有不同程度的骨盆倾斜。1例先行皮肤扩张、背部瘢痕切除、皮瓣转移术，再行脊柱侧弯前路TSRH矫形内固定术。另1例先行背部瘢痕切除、脊柱侧弯前路松解手术，Halo-股骨牵引50d后再行后路TSRH矫形内固定加胸廓成形术。结果 2例患儿术后外观畸形明显改善，侧弯矫正率分别为91．0％和55．0％，躯干变直，骨盆水平，伤口愈合良好。经3～4个月随访，无明显矫正丢失。结论 婴幼儿期烫伤所致背部严重瘢痕，可在青少年生长发育期诱发瘢痕挛缩性脊柱侧弯，其发病机制、临床表现均与典型青少年特发性脊柱侧弯有所不同。这一类型脊柱侧弯手术方案的制定必须遵循个体化、特异性的治疗原则。     

Pediatric spine imaging post scoliosis surgery

Many orthopedic articles describe advances in surgical techniques and implants used in pediatric scoliosis surgery. However, even though postoperative spine imaging constitutes a large portion of outpatient musculoskeletal pediatric radiology, few, if any, radiology articles discuss this topic. There has been interval advancement over the last decades of the orthopedic procedures used in the treatment of spinal scoliosis in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. The goal of treatment in these patients is to stop the progression of the curve by blocking the spinal growth and correcting the deformity as much as possible. To that end, the authors in this paper discuss postoperative imaging findings of Harrington rods, Luque rods, Luque–Galveston implants and segmental spinal fusion systems. Regarding early onset scoliosis, the guiding principles used for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis do not apply to a growing spine because they would impede lung development. As a result, other devices have been developed to correct the curve and to allow spinal growth. These include spine-based growing rods, vertically expandable prosthetic titanium rods (requiring repetitive surgeries) and magnetically controlled growing rods (with a magnetic locking/unlocking system). Other more recent systems are Shilla and thoracoscopic anterior vertebral body tethering, which allow guided growth of the spine without repetitive interventions. In this paper, we review the radiologic appearances of different orthopedic implants and techniques used to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and early onset scoliosis. Moreover, we present the imaging findings of the most frequent postoperative complications.     

Fatal pulmonary fat embolism following spinal fusion surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a fatal pulmonary fat embolism as a complication of spinal fusion surgery. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit at a freestanding tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENT: An adolescent female with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent spinal fusion surgery with instrumentation and suffered a fatal pulmonary fat embolism. CONCLUSION: Spinal fusion surgery for neuromuscular scoliosis is a common operative procedure. Pulmonary fat embolism as a complication of this procedure is rare. This case emphasizes the need to be aware of this potentially fatal postoperative complication. Specifically evaluating for this rare complication may lead to understanding cases of unexplained deterioration and death.     

Scoliosis: a review

Scoliosis, lateral curvature of the spine, has been studied since Hippocrates’ time, but remains a disputed subject in orthopaedic surgery, because of its several varieties, unknown cause and unpredictable course. A review of 30 years’ experience in a paediatric orthopaedic unit was undertaken to clarify the problem. Patient records, collected prospectively, were examined to demonstrate the incidence, prevalence, extent, course and outcome of the commonest variety, adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Reference was made to the results of previously published studies. Records from a school screening programme showed that, while slight degrees of spinal curvature were widely prevalent in the community, these were of no clinical significance and major cosmetic deformity was rare: only 8 in 10,000 adolescent girls had Cobb angles of 40° or more and only half of these underwent surgical correction. Evidence to support non-operative treatment could not be demonstrated and it did not reduce the incidence of surgical intervention. Because the course of scoliosis did not seem to correspond with much published work, or with current hypotheses of aetiology, a rethinking of the whole subject is advocated. An alternative model of pathogenesis deriving from developmental biology was proposed. While advances in surgical methods have been significant, the core problems of aetiology and natural history remain. Until they are resolved, all conclusions on management must be provisional. This is where innovative thinking needs to be directed.     

前后路Ⅰ期手术治疗重度僵硬性青少年特发性脊柱侧弯

目的 评价前后路Ⅰ期手术治疗重度僵硬性青少年特发性脊柱侧弯的临床疗效,探讨其手术适应证及手术操作要点.方法 回顾性分析2002年1月至2007年6月本院应用前后路Ⅰ期手术治疗21例重度僵硬性青少年特发性脊柱侧弯患儿的临床资料,年龄8～16岁,平均13.8岁.结果 7例行I期胸腔镜前路松解联合后路矫形手术,末次随访主侧弯冠状面Cobb角平均矫正率为70.3%;14例行Ⅰ期传统开放前路松解、截骨、骨骺阻滞联合后路矫形手术,末次随访主侧弯冠状面Cobb角平均矫正率为67.2%.末次随访未发现椎弓根螺钉松动、断裂、曲轴现象、平背畸形、假关节形成、肺功能下降等并发症.患儿外观畸形改善或矫正.结论 通过术前选择适宜的病例,术中严格操作,前后路Ⅰ期手术治疗重度僵硬性青少年特发性脊柱侧弯可取得良好的临床疗效,并可减少手术相关并发症,缩短住院时间及减少医疗费用.     

支具治疗进展型早发性脊柱侧弯的临床研究

目的分析进展型早发性脊柱侧弯(early onset scoliosis,EOS)经支具保守治疗后畸形发展情况,并探讨支具矫形在此类患者中的疗效。方法以战略支援部队特色医学中心脊柱外科接受支具治疗至少2年且影像资料完整的19例EOS患者为研究对象,其中男12例,女7例。根据随访结果分为有效组和无效组,末次随访Cobb角与治疗前相比改善超过10°为治疗有效,未超过10°为治疗无效。支具治疗前、初次治疗后、末次随访时拍摄站立位全脊柱正(侧)位X线片,分别测量冠状位及矢状位畸形角度及平衡。结果19例支具治疗前平均Cobb角(40±10.4)°(20°~55°)、初次治疗后主弯Cobb角(28.15±14.78)°,末次随访主弯Cobb角(31.63±18.04)°,初次治疗后及末次随访均较治疗前明显好转(P<0.05)。两组末次随访时的胸廓宽度及胸椎高度均较支具治疗前明显增加,特发性EOS较先天性EOS治疗效果更好(P<0.05)。另外,顶椎位于胸腰段或腰段较顶椎位于胸段者效果更好(P<0.05)。初次治疗后两组间主弯矫正率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),末次随访时差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于部分进展型早发性脊柱侧弯,支具治疗可作为保守治疗的选择之一,其中一些病例可得到满意矫形,即使部分病例不能避免手术,支具治疗也可在不影响胸廓发育的前提下适当延后手术时间。