This article is part of the supplement: 5th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities .

Oral presentation

Curve pattern changes in idiopathic scoliosis

Joris Hermus, F vd Berg, N Guldemond, A v Ooij and L v Rhijn

Department Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Academic Hospital Maastricht, the Netherlands

corresponding author email

from 5^th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities
Athens, Greece. 3–5 April 2008

Scoliosis 2009, 4(Suppl 1):O13doi:10.1186/1748-7161-4-S1-O13

The electronic version of this abstract is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.scoliosisjournal.com/content/4/S1/O13

Published:

15 January 2009

© 2009 Hermus et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Introduction

Ponseti and Friedman suggest that curve type is genetically determined and that curve types do not change throughout its course. Nowadays, we see scoliosis as a more dynamic process. Therefore we ask ourselves can the natural history of idiopathic scoliosis can change during growth when the scoliosis is not treated.

Aim

The goal of this study was to assess curve pattern changes in patients with idiopathic scoliosis who were not treated.

Materials and methods

Forty eight patients were monitored who were not treated and had an idiopathic scoliosis. Curve pattern changes were classified according the SRS.

Results

Forty eight patients (11 boys and 37 girls; 13 patients younger than 10 years and 35 patients older than 10 years) were monitored for a mean follow-up of 3 to 4 years. 8 patients (17%) showed changes in curve patterns. Six of these patients were younger than 10 years, while 2 patients were older than 10 years. There was no correlation between the curve severity and the curve pattern changes. We found no significant difference between the male and female patients. Single curves changed in double curves and vice versa during growth in 70% younger than 10 years and 18% older than 10 years.

Conclusion

In this study, changes in curve patterns suggest that idiopathic scoliosis is not a fixed deformity, but a dynamic process especially in patients younger than 10 years.

References

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2. Van Rhijn LW, Plasmans CM, Veraart BE: Changes in curve pattern after brace treatment for idiopathic scoliosis.

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3. Miller NH, Justice CM, Marosy B: Familial idiopathic scoliosis: evidence of X-linked susceptibility locus.

   Presented at: The Scoliosis Research Society 36th Annual Meeting; Cleveland, Ohio 2001.

4. Cowell HR, Hall JN, MacEwen GD: Genetic aspects of idiopathic scoliosis. A Nicholas Andry Award essay, 1970.

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