Treatment of infantile idiopathic scoliosis using a novel thoracolumbosacral orthosis: a case report

Background The recommended treatment for mild to moderate infantile idiopathic scoliosis curves involves serial casting. There are concerns, however, regarding the safety of repeated casting in very young children owing to the requirement for anesthetization during the casting process. Very little research has been conducted on the influence of bracing as an initial treatment for scoliosis in this age group. This report details the successful treatment of a large thoracic curve using a thoracolumbosacral orthosis in an infant diagnosed with infantile idiopathic scoliosis. Case presentation The Dutch-Australian patient presented at 11 weeks of age with a 44° thoracic scoliosis and a rib vertebral angle difference of 14°. The history and physical examination failed to reveal a cause of the curvature, and a diagnosis of infantile idiopathic scoliosis was made. The patient was prescribed a thoracolumbosacral orthosis (ScoliBrace) to be worn on a part-time basis for a period of 8 months. At the end of the bracing program, the patient’s curve had been reduced to 7° and a rib–vertebral angle difference of 0°. A final follow-up of the patient at 2 years after the cessation of treatment revealed no evidence of scoliosis. The parents were compliant with the bracing protocol and reported that the treatment was tolerated by the infant. Conclusion The use of an orthosis as a standalone treatment in this patient resulted in significant reduction in a large thoracic scoliosis. Based on the results witnessed in this patient, further investigation into bracing as an alternative to casting is warranted.

Load bearing analysis on Lumbosacral Disc in Pre-operative and Post-operative Thoracic Scoliosis Patient

Scoliosis is a musculoskeletal disorder seen all around the world. It affects both the alignment of the vertebra and intervertebral disc. Scoliosis can be treated conservatively with a cast and brace or surgically with spinal instrumentation. During planning for surgical instrumentation, several factors need to be considered. Among those, biomechanical changes in the non-scoliotic vertebrae and discs are important. This is vital in determining the future degenerative changes of the spine. For this reason, this study was conducted with a finite element model of the lumbosacral joint using CT scan files to find the total deformation and equivalent static strain of the lumbosacral disc between pre and post-operative thoracic scoliosis patient. From the results, it is evident that there is a biomechanical change in the lumbosacral disc and structural change in the vertebral alignment followed immediately after corrective surgery. The correction in the alignment of the scoliotic spine brings changes to the biomechanical functionality and load-bearing capacity of the lumbosacral intervertebral disc before and after surgery.

Variations in the sagittal plane precede the development of scoliosis: a proof of concept

Idiopathic scoliosis in man is believed to be related to the unique human sagittal profile. Patients with a thoracic scoliosis have a longer, more proximal, posteriorly inclined segment of the spine as compared to lumbar scoliosis and controls, whereas patients with a lumbar scoliosis have a more caudal, shorter and steeper posteriorly inclined segment. In 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, half of the patients develop a scoliosis that is very similar to idiopathic scoliosis and may serve as a model for the general population. In our center, all patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome older than 6 years receive standardized radiographic spine imaging every 2 years to screen for scoliosis. In this prospective proof-of-principle study the goal was to determine whether there are differences in sagittal alignment between patients that develop scoliosis vs. controls before the onset of scoliosis, and obtain data to perform a power calculation for future studies. To capture the sagittal shape of the spine into one risk factor for development for scoliosis, we combined relative length and magnitude of dorsal inclination into a new parameter: the posterior inclined triangle surface (PITS). We included 31 patients with initially straight spines, five developed a thoracic scoliosis and seven developed a (thoraco)lumbar scoliosis after a mean follow-up of 3.4 years. The PITS was considerably higher in the group that developed scoliosis as compared to the controls (59 vs 43). Based on this pilot study, we have identified a potential overall sagittal profile risk parameter for the development of idiopathic scoliosis.

Iatrogenic injury to long thoracic nerve following thoracotomy for right thoracic scoliosis in Marfan syndrome: a case report

Background Patients with Marfan syndrome commonly require spinal deformity surgery. The purpose of this case report is to present a rare thoracotomy complication. We present the management of such a patient. Case summary In a known case of Marfan syndrome, an 18-year-old Persian man was admitted to our hospital with scoliosis. The patient underwent radiological examinations, and thoracic scoliosis of 70° was diagnosed. A right thoracotomy for anterior spinal fusion from the sixth rib and posterior spinal fusion were performed successfully. Two months later, he was readmitted because of winging of the right scapula due to serratus anterior palsy. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity confirmed long thoracic nerve injury. Conservative treatment was provided. Ultimately, the patient recovered completely in the last follow-up visit 6 months after the surgery. Discussion This is the first report of ipsilateral winged scapula after thoracotomy. Attention needs to be paid to surgical techniques in patients with Marfan syndrome.