Introduction. The British Scoliosis Society published a document in 2008 which set out the minimum standards for paediatric
Aims. To benchmark the radiation dose to patients during the course of treatment for a
Aims. To report the outcome of spinal deformity correction through anterior spinal fusion in wheelchair-bound patients with myelomeningocele. Methods. We reviewed 12 consecutive patients (7M:5F; mean age 12.4 years (9.2 to 16.8)) including demographic details, spinopelvic parameters, surgical correction, and perioperative data. We assessed the impact of surgery on patient outcomes using the Spina Bifida Spine Questionnaire and a qualitative questionnaire. Results. The mean follow-up was 5.4 years (2 to 14.9). Nine patients had kyphoscoliosis, two lordoscoliosis, and one kyphosis. All patients had a thoracolumbar deformity. Mean scoliosis corrected from 89.6° (47° to 151°) to 46.5° (17° to 85°; p < 0.001). Mean kyphosis corrected from 79.5° (40° to 135°) to 49° (36° to 65°; p < 0.001). Mean pelvic obliquity corrected from 19.5° (8° to 46°) to 9.8° (0° to 20°; p < 0.001). Coronal and sagittal balance restored to normal. Complication rate was 58.3% (seven patients) with no neurological deficits, implant failure, or revision surgery. The degree of preoperative
Aims. To determine the major risk factors for unplanned reoperations (UROs) following corrective surgery for adult
Aims. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for adverse events following the surgical correction of cervical
Background. The advent of EOS imaging has offered clinicians the opportunity to image the whole skeleton in the anatomical standing position with a smaller radiation dose than standard spine roentgenograms. It is known as the fifth modality of imaging. Current NICE guidelines do not recommend EOS scans over x-rays citing: “The evidence indicated insufficient patient benefit in terms of radiation dose reduction and increased throughput to justify its cost”. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 103 adult and 103 paediatric EOS scans of standing whole spines including shoulders and pelvis for those undergoing investigation for
Segmental vessel ligation during anterior spinal surgery has been associated with paraplegia. However, the incidence and risk factors for this devastating complication are debated. We reviewed 346 consecutive paediatric and adolescent patients ranging in age from three to 18 years who underwent surgery for anterior
The exact prevalence of scoliosis remains unknown however it appears to be stable over time. In contrast the surgical management of
Introduction. Type 1 neurofibromatosis is a serious hereditary disease in which mainly skin, nervous, muscular, and bone systems are damaged. In bone systems the most common deformities are thoracic kyphosis and scoliosis. Data for morphological changes in the structural components of spine in neurofibromatosis are scarce. Thus our study aimed to investigate morphological changes in structural components of the spine in NF1 neurofibromatosis. Methods. Growth plates, intervertebral discs, and fragments of vertebral bodies from deformed and adjacent segments of the spine were obtained from 15 patients aged 10–14 years with scoliosis (Cobb angle 90–120°) caused by neurofibromatosis. Preoperative examination included MRI study of the spine and brain to exclude intracanal masses, and radiographic study of the spine. Patients did not present any neurological symptoms. All children underwent anterior release and interbody fusion. Structural spinal components from children aged 12–14 years collected at forensic autopsy were used as controls. Tissues were investigated by conventional histochemical and ultrastructural methods. The levels of aggrecan and NF1 gene expression were studied with the PCR method. Results. The study of growth plate and intervertebral disc specimens removed during surgery for scoliosis in neurofibromatosis showed a clear boundary between their convex and concave sides. Both growth plate and intervertebral disc in convex side retain their architectonic and histochemical characteristics. The concave side of the growth plate is presented by small chondroblasts densely spaced without a definite orientation and surrounded by homogeneous matrix, which is made up of chondroitin sulphates. These embryonic-type chondroblasts are poorly differentiated. Chondroblasts proliferate beyond the growth plate. Proliferating cells invade into vertebral body and are bordered by thin bone lamellae, causing the scalloping of vertebral body as a radiological symptom of the pathology. Changes occurring in the intervertebral disc are of considerable interest. Concave-side disc is characterised by isolated proliferation zones containing poorly differentiated chondroblasts and fibroblasts, and neurinoma-like masses. Bone trabeculae inside a concave-side vertebra are passing the stage of osteogenesis imperfecta. Detected morphological changes in spinal structures are consistent with findings of Stevenson, who registered cartilage and bone deficiencies in animal model (mice with NF1 genemutation). Thus, morphological studies testify to structural disorder in concave side of the growth plate, but unchanged regularities and stages of chondroblast differentiation and adequate osteogenesis in the convex side. NF1 gene regulates the growth, differentiation, and proliferation of chondroblasts at the early stage of embryogenesis. Gene inactivation at a somite stage results in altered development of definitive spinal structures. Continued growth with adequate proliferation, differentiation, osteogenesis, and topochemical characteristics occurs in the convex-side growth plate, and growth disorder in the concave-side part with continued load cause growth asymmetry and development of
Surgery for
To assess the effectiveness of unilateral sublaminar and concave rib tethering with convex rib resection through the period of peak growth in lambs. Morphometric growth data from 10 experimental Scottish Blackface sheep were compared to those from 5 control animals (no intervention) over 12 months. Standardized AP and Lateral radiographs were taken before and at monthly intervals after scoliosis creation. The Cobb angle was measured in the coronal and sagittal planes. Rotational mal-alignment was assessed by axial CT 7 months post surgery. In the supine position the control animals had no coronal plane deformity and a mean 5° lordosis (T4-T12). These figures did not alter with growth (doubling of body weight). Tethering (at age 5 weeks) produced an immediate scoliosis of 22±11° and a lordosis of 24±8° (means(sd). The degree of scoliosis was maintained over 7 months (at 20°) but lordosis increased (to 59±11°, p<0.01). There was an associated change in vertebral rotation. Surgery had no influence on rate of growth or animal development. Two animals died from Clostridium associated enterocolitis. There were no deaths associated with the surgical intervention. This ovine model gives a progressive
Purpose. To report the results of full vertebral column resection (VCR) for paediatric
Aims. Postoperative complication rates remain relatively high after adult
Modern techniques facilitate the treatment of adult
Background. Pleural drains are routinely used following anterior approaches to the spine for the correction of
Aim:. An analysis of significant neuromonitoring changes (NMCs) and evaluation of the efficacy of multimodality neuromonitoring in spinal deformity surgery. Method:. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data in 320 consecutive paediatric and adult
The SRS-22 instrument was developed to assess quality of life in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients (AIS). The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of surgical treatment on quality of life in neurologically normal patients with complex
Purpose of the study. To investigate the efficacy of pedicle screw instrumentation in correcting
To examine the impact of a structured rehabilitation programme as part of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment algorithm for adult
Aim:. To simplify sagittal plane spinal assessment by describing a single novel angle in the lumbar spine equivalent to the difference between pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbar lordosis (LL) and evaluate its reliability. Methods:. New sagittal modifiers in the classification of adult degenerative