JAAOS
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Am Acad Orthop Surg, Vol 12, No 4, July/August 2004, 266-275.
© 2004 the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Web of Science (4)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hedequist, D.
Right arrow Articles by Emans, J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Hedequist, D.
Right arrow Articles by Emans, J.

Congenital Scoliosis

Daniel Hedequist, MD and John Emans, MD

Dr. Hedequist is Instructor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Dr. Emans is Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.

Reprint requests: Dr. Hedequist, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Congenital scoliosis is caused by early embryologic errors in vertebral column formation. Defining the deformity, predicting the natural history, and applying the correct treatment can help ensure successful management. Most congenital spine anomalies can be classified, and many have a predictable natural history. Because the deformities are associated with other organ system anomalies in more than half of patients, the surgeon should look for cardiac, auditory, genitourinary, and renal anomalies. Intraspinal abnormalities are present in approximately one third of patients with congenital spine deformities. Curve progression is best documented by measuring identical landmarks on sequential radiographs. Magnetic resonance imaging is warranted when curve progression is established or when surgical intervention is planned. Management of progressive deformity is generally by early in situ fusion because orthotic treatment is rarely appropriate. Other surgical techniques include combined anterior and posterior epiphysiodesis, hemivertebra resection, and reconstructive osteotomies.






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 2004 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.