Etiology and significance of growth disturbances of the spine

Abstract

The majority of growth disturbances of the spine are acquired and their etiology is still unknown. Both scolioses and sagittal profile disorders are most commonly of idiopathic origin. The etiology is multifactorial and besides genetic, hormonal and mechanical factors also metabolic components seem to be involved. The risk of progression of an existing deformity is particularly high during the pubertal growth spurt. Accordingly, regular clinical and radiological controls should be carried out in this vulnerable period. Recently, spinal deformities have been classified according to the time of diagnosis rather than according to their etiology, considering the increasing knowledge about the correlation between spinal and thoracic growth and the associated maturation of the lungs. Therefore, the term "early onset scoliosis" considers all deformities of the spine diagnosed before the age of 10years. In the case of failure of conservative treatment options, which have to be applied for as long as possible, definitive spinal fusion surgery should be delayed by the use of growth-sparing surgical techniques, aiming to achieve as normal pulmonary function as possible.