Serial casting in early onset scoliosis: syndromic scoliosis is no contraindication

Tobias M Ballhause,Annika Hättich,Ralf Stücker,Kiril Mladenov,Menard Moritz

doi:10.1186/s12891-019-2938-9

Abstract

BackgroundSerial casting is a treatment for early onset scoliosis (EOS) in young children to achieve curve correction before bracing or to postpone initial surgical treatment until the patient is older. Good results have been reported for patients with idiopathic early onset scoliosis (IS). However, there are few reports of results in non-idiopathic cases, and the benefits of non-surgical methods in the syndromic-associated early onset scoliosis subgroup are unknown.MethodsRetrospective single-institution study of patient charts and X-rays of all cases of sustained serial casting for EOS.Staged correction was obtained by applying three consecutive casts under general anaesthesia. These were changed every 4 weeks, followed by the implementation of a custom-made full-time Chêneau brace. Correction was measured by Cobb angle (CA) and rib-vertebra angle difference (RVAD) on whole spine anterior-posterior radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed via ANOVA.ResultsThe study group consisted of 6 patiens with IS and 10 with non-idiopathic scoliosis (NIS) – exclusively syndromic-associated. The mean age at onset of treatment was 35 months (±15). The mean follow up was 21 months (±15). In IS patients average CA/RVAD before treatment was 46°(±8)/20°(±12). In NIS patients average CA/RVAD before treatment was 55°(±15)/24°(±14). After application of the third cast, the CA/RVAD was reduced to 20°(±11)/11°(±10) in IS patients. Whereas in NIS patients average CA/RVAD after the thrid cast was 28°(±12)/18°(±13). At latest follow-up the CA/RVAD was 16°(±7)/9°(±8) in IS patients and 31°(±11)/17° (±15) in NIS patients.ConclusionSyndromic etiology is not a contraindication for serial casting in EOS. Our results show a curve correction, measured in CA, of 65% in IS patients and 44% in NIS patients. Significant reduction in the morphologic deformity, measured in RVAD, was achieved in the IS cohort, but not in the NIS cohort. In all cases surgical treatment could be delayed.

Highlights

Serial casting is a treatment for early onset scoliosis (EOS) in young children to achieve curve correction before bracing or to postpone initial surgical treatment until the patient is older
The purpose of this study is to describe our treatment protocol and to evaluate the results after serial casting for patients with early onset scoliosis and compare the results in relation to the background of the scoliosis
The following radiologic parameters were measured: Cobb angle (CA), rib-vertebra angle difference (RVAD), and phase of rib-vertebra relationship according to Mehta

Summary

Introduction

Serial casting is a treatment for early onset scoliosis (EOS) in young children to achieve curve correction before bracing or to postpone initial surgical treatment until the patient is older. Good results have been reported for patients with idiopathic early onset scoliosis (IS). There are few reports of results in non-idiopathic cases, and the benefits of non-surgical methods in the syndromic-associated early onset scoliosis subgroup are unknown. Onset scoliosis (EOS) includes all forms of scoliosis that present within the first 10 years of life [1]. Growing rod constructs are currently the treatment of choice for severe curves or for deformities that do not respond to non-operative treatment. Despite the positive effects that growing rod constructs provide, an initial surgical procedure in children under the age of 4 years increases the risk of complications [4].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion