The magnetically controlled growing rod (MCGR) system allows growth maintenance without the risk of anaesthesia, implant and wound complications associated with repeated surgeries. This is a medium-term report of the complications of MCGR from a multicentre study. Twenty-six patients from 6 spine institutes that are part of a multicentre study with prospectively collected data of minimum 24 months follow-up were assessed. Pre-operative, immediate post-operative and most recent spine radiographs were reviewed to measure the Cobb angle and the rod lengthening distance. The causes and any associated risk factors for re-operations were examined. Eleven patients required re-operation within the follow-up period, with a mean time to re-operation of 17 months after the initial surgery. Five were due to failure of rod distractions; 3 were due to failure of proximal foundation implants; 2 were due to rod breakage; and one case of superficial wound infection with failure of proximal fixation. Proximal junctional kyphosis occurred in 5 patients. Three had proximal anchor dislodgement and all five constructs were revised. This is the largest series with the longest follow-up to date. Our series show that the perception that using MCGR may reduce the frequency of re-operations may not be entirely true. This is the first report to examine the need for re-operation after MCGR implantation, and highlights the inherent risks of any surgical treatment in this group of patients despite the advantages of this new implant. Longer-term studies and comparisons with traditional growing rods are required.
Previous work has shown that C57BL/6 mice develop scoliosis when rendered bipedal. Our previous work suggested that tamoxifen (TMX) might change the natural course of scoliosis when administered before scoliotic curves develop. We analysed whether the incidence of scoliosis or the magnitude of curves may be decreased by the administration of tamoxifen after curves are observed. 20 female, 3-week-old C57BL/6 mice underwent amputations of forelimbs and tails at 3 weeks, 18 of which were included in analyses. Posteroanterior scoliosis radiographs were obtained at week 20, and scoliotic curves were recorded. After week 20, all mice received 10 mg TMX per L of daily water supply for 20 weeks. The course of deformities in this group (week 20 group) was compared with that of previous study groups (receiving TMX from week 3; week 3 group).Introduction
Methods
We prospectively examined the effect of pedicle screw placement at a young age (<5 years) for early-onset spinal deformity on the growth and development of pedicles and the spinal canal. Patients with early-onset deformity who received pedicle screw placement before the age of 5 years and had preoperative and final follow-up axial imaging were included. To increase sample size, patients who had the same criteria but with no preoperative axial images were also included. Anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the canal and pedicle length were measured on axial images cutting through the middle of the pedicle (figures 1 and 2).Introduction
Methods
Forelimb and tail amputations of 3-week-old C57BL/6 mice are known to yield spinal curves similar to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Our previous work showed that tamoxifen produces a significant decrease in severity of these curves. Vertebral osteoporosis was thought to be related to AIS. Interestingly, a histological pilot study has shown that scoliotic mice given tamoxifen were less osteoporotic than were controls. Raloxifene is an oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) similar to tamoxifen with a more specific effect on bone and is commonly used to treat osteoporosis. We aimed to study and compare the effects of tamoxifen and raloxifene on the rate and magnitude of scoliosis on a C57BL/6 mice model. 90 female 3-week-old C57BL/6 mice underwent amputations of forelimbs and tails. 78 were available for analysis and were grouped as control (no medications; n=24), TMX group (10 mg tamoxifen/L drinking water; n=30), and RLX group (10 mg raloxifene/L drinking water; n=241). Seven mice from each group (including scoliotic ones) were killed for histological study at week 20 after posteroanterior (PA) scoliosis radiograph examinations. The rest were killed at the end of week 40 after PA radiographs were obtained. Radiographs were assessed for presence and magnitude of spinal curves.Introduction
Methods
Calmodulin probably has a regulatory role in muscle contraction and its antagonism may decrease the magnitude and progression of scoliosis. A separate study has shown that tamoxifen (TMX), a known antagonist, is effective in altering the natural history in an avian model; however, whether the same effect is conceivable in mammals is unknown. We aimed to analyse whether the natural course of scoliosis in mice may be altered by the administration of TMX. 60 female, 3-week-old, C57BL/6 mice underwent amputations of forelimbs and tails. 57 mice were assigned to three groups: control group, no medications; TMX group, 10 mg TMX/L drinking water; and combined group, 10 mg TMX plus 10 mg trifluoperazine (TFP)/L drinking water. PA scoliosis radiographs were taken at 20 and 40 weeks and evaluated for presence and magnitude of spinal curves.Introduction
Methods
