Adolescent Spinal Deformity Research Articles

Adolescent Perception of Stiffness After Spinal Fusion Surgery.

Posterior spinal instrumented fusion (PSIF) is a treatment option for adolescent spinal deformity. PSIF leads to loss of spinal segment motion. It is unclear the extent to which spinal stiffness is perceived by adolescent patients after fusion. Focus groups of adolescents between ages 11 and 21 years who underwent PSIF for spinal deformity were performed. Focus groups were evaluated for common themes, and a 36-question survey was designed. Survey responses were analyzed relative to last instrumented vertebra (LIV) and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) scores. Five focus groups were held with 18 patients in total. Three main themes were identified by participants: 56% identified difficulty bending forward, 44% identified difficulty hunching while sitting, and 56% identified difficulty with twisting motions. Patients with more distal LIV reported significant more difficulty with self-care/grooming (P = .014) and chores (P < .001). SRS-22 function/activity scores correlated well with survey categories in self-care/grooming (r = .61; P = .049) and recreation (r = .69; P = .019). Focus groups suggest that spinal stiffness is frequently perceived and leads to alteration in daily tasks in adolescents after spinal fusion.

Measuring Quality of Life in Adults with Scoliosis: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing SRS-22 and ISYQOL Questionnaires.

Idiopathic scoliosis is common in adulthood and can impact patients' physical and psychological health. The Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire (SRS-22) has been designed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in idiopathic scoliosis, and it is the most used disease-specific outcome tool from adolescence to adulthood. More recently, the Italian Spine Youth Quality of Life (ISYQOL) international questionnaire was developed, which performs better than SRS-22 in adolescent spinal deformities. However, the ISYQOL questionnaire has never been tested in adults. This study compares the construct validity of ISYQOL and SRS-22 with the Rasch analysis (partial credit model). We recruited 150 adults and 50 adolescents with scoliosis (≥30° Cobb). SRS-22, but not ISQYOL, showed disordered categories and one item not fitting the Rasch model. A 21-item SRS-22 version with revised categories was arranged and further compared to ISYQOL. Both questionnaires showed multidimensionality, and some items (SRS-22 in a greater number) functioned differently in persons of different ages. However, the artefacts caused by multidimensionality and differential functioning had a low impact on the questionnaires' measures. The construct validity of ISYQOL International and the revised SRS-22 are comparable. Both questionnaires (but not the original SRS-22) can return measures of disease burden in adults with scoliosis.

Accuracy of 3D printed spine models for pre-surgical planning of complex adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in spinal surgeries: a case series

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a noticeable spinal deformity in both adult and adolescent population. In majority of the cases, the gold standard of treatment is surgical intervention. Technological advancements in medical imaging and 3D printing have revolutionised the surgical planning and intraoperative decision making for surgeons in spinal surgery. However, its applicability for planning complex spinal surgeries is poorly documented with human subjects. The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of 3D printed models for complex spinal deformities based on Cobb angles between 40° to 95°.This is a retrospective cohort study where, five CT scans of the patients with AIS were segmented and 3D printed for evaluating the accuracy. Consideration was given to the Inter-patient and acquisition apparatus variability of the CT-scan dataset to understand the effect on trueness and accuracy of the developed CAD models. The developed anatomical models were re-scanned for analysing quantitative surface deviation to assess the accuracy of 3D printed spinal models. Results show that the average of the root mean square error (RMSE) between the 3DP models and virtual models developed using CT scan of mean surface deviations for the five 3d printed models was found to be 0.5±0.07 mm. Based on the RMSE, it can be concluded that 3D printing based workflow is accurate enough to be used for presurgical planning for complex adolescent spinal deformities. Image acquisition and post processing parameters, type of 3D printing technology plays key role in acquiring required accuracy for surgical applications.

Can placement of hook at the upper instrumented level decrease the proximal junctional kyphosis risk in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

Proximal junctional kyphosis is a commonly encountered clinical and radiographic phenomenon after pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity surgery that may lead to postoperative deformity, pain, and dissatisfaction. The purpose of the study was to identify whether the placement of transverse process hooks is an effective way to prevent PJK. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion between November 2015 and May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. A minimum 2-year follow-up was required. Demographic and surgical data included UIV level type of instrumentation (hook vs screw) were reported. Radiologic parameters included main curve Cobb angle, thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), and proximal junctional angle (PJA) were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the type of instrumentation at the UIV level whether placement of hook versus pedicle screw. Three hundred and thirty-seven patients were included with the mean age 14.2 ± 1.9years. Thirty patients (8.9%) were diagnosed with proximal junctional kyphosis radiographically. PJK incidence was found 3.2% (5/154) in the hook group and 13.3% (23/172) in the screw group and the difference found statistically significant. In the PJK group, preoperative thoracic kyphosis and the degree of kyphosis correction were also significantly higher than non-PJK patients. Placement of transverse process hooks at the UIV level in posterior spinal fusion surgery for AIS patients was associated with decreased risk of PJK. A larger preoperative kyphosis and greater degree of kyphosis correction correlated with PJK.

The Hereditary Nature of Adolescent Spinal Deformities: A Study of Over 600,000 Adolescents.

A cross-sectional study. We designed this study to investigate the risk for spinal deformity among individuals whose parents had a spinal deformity. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and Scheuermann kyphosis (SK) are common adolescent spinal deformities (ASD) with a significant impact on public health. Timely treatment with bracing is effective in halting or slowing the progression of these deformities. However, screening healthy adolescents for spinal deformities remains debatable. While the leading medical organizations endorse contradictory positions regarding the screening of the general population, there is a consensus that screening of targeted population should be considered. Due to their genetic predisposition, adolescents whose parents suffer from a spinal deformity may be candidates for targeted screening. We conducted a nationwide, population-based study of 611,689 Israeli adolescents, aged 16 to 19 years old, who were screened for spinal deformities between the years 2000 and 2019. The data for this study were derived from a central database containing medical records of all adolescents who were examined preliminary to mandatory military service. In our study, ASD were strictly defined by plain x-ray. Compared with adolescents of whose parents did not have a spinal deformity, the odds ratios (OR) for ASD among adolescents whose father, mother, or both parents had spinal deformity were 1.46, 1.74, and 2.58, respectively. These ratios were consistent in multivariate models. We have found a considerable increased risk for adolescent spinal deformities among adolescents whose parents suffered from spinal deformities. We believe that our findings should serve the leading medical organizations when considering the screening of targeted populations. 4.

A Study Decades in the Making!: The Heritable Nature of Adolescent Spinal Deformity.

A Study Decades in the Making!: The Heritable Nature of Adolescent Spinal Deformity.

Surgeon-Directed Neuromonitoring in Adolescent Spinal Deformity Surgery Safely Assesses Neurological Function.

BackgroundSpinal deformity correction is associated with the risk of intra-operative neurological injury. Surgeon-directed monitoring (SDM) of transcranial motor-evoked potentials (TcMEP) is an option to monitor intra-operative spinal cord function. We report a retrospective analysis of a prospective database to assess the safety of this technique in spinal deformity correction in adolescent patients.MethodsSurgeon-directed neuro-monitoring was utilised in 142 consecutive deformity correction surgeries (2012-2017). Surgeons were responsible for electrode placement, intra-operative stimulation, and interpretation of TcMEP data. If waveform disappearance occurred in the lower limb (LL), the surgeon would re-stimulate after excluding technical or anaesthetic factors. Failure to return normal waveforms led to maneuver reversal and reducing distractive force and ensuring subsequent return to baseline. Wake up test and ankle clonus followed by staging surgery was considered if the LL waveforms failed to return indicating potential motor injury.ResultsOf 142 patients, three cases (2.11%) had a complete visual loss of LL signals that did not resolve with anaesthetic stabilisation, leading to reversed surgical manoeuvre and staged surgery. No cases with permanent neurological dysfunction were recorded. This outcome supports surgeon-directed monitoring as a safe monitoring option, as an alternative to neurophysiologist-led monitoring. It also provides evidence in support of the waveform disappearance criteria as a safe TcMEP warning criterion with a 100% negative predictive value.ConclusionsWhere there is a lack of availability of trained neurophysiologists, surgeon-directed neuro-monitoring is a safe and reliable method of preventing intra-operative neurological injury amongst adolescent patients undergoing deformity correction.

Proximal junctional kyphosis in pediatric spinal deformity surgery: a systematic review and critical analysis.

Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a commonly encountered clinical and radiographic phenomenon after pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity surgery that may lead to post-operative deformity, pain, and dissatisfaction. Understanding the risk factors of PJK can be useful for pre-operative informed consent as well as to identify any potential preventative strategies. We performed a systematic review and critical analysis following the PRISMA statement in July 2019 by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, including all prior published studies. We included articles with data on PJK in patients with operative pediatric and adolescent scoliosis and those that detailed risk factors and/or preventative strategies for PJK. Levels of evidence were determined based on consensus. Findings were summarized and grades of recommendation were assigned by consensus. This study was registered in the PROSPERO database; 202,457. Six hundred and thirty five studies were identified. Thirty-seven studies met criteria for inclusion into the analysis. No studies including neuromuscular scoliosis met inclusion criteria. No findings had Grade A evidence. There were 4 findings found to contribute to PJK with Grade B evidence in EOS: higher number of distractions, disruption of posterior elements, greater sagittal plane correction. There was no difference in incidence noted between etiology of the curvature. Five findings with Grade B evidence were found to contribute to PJK in AIS populations: higher pre-operative thoracic kyphosis, higher pre-operative lumbar lordosis, longer fusion constructs, greater sagittal plane correction, and posterior versus anterior fusion constructs. Greater sagittal plane correction has Grade B evidence as a risk factor for PJK in both EOS and AIS populations. In EOS patients, an increased number of distractions and posterior element disruption are Grade B risk factors. In AIS patients, longer fusion constructs, higher pre-operative thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, and posterior (as opposed to anterior) constructs also contributed to PJK with Grade B evidence. These findings can guide informed consent and surgical management, and provide the foundation for future studies.

Legacy Patient-reported Outcome Measures Can Be Reliably Translated to PROMIS Domains for Use in Adolescent Spinal Deformity.

Retrospective cohort study. The aim of this study was to determine whether Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pediatric Domain scores can be accurately and reliably predicted from legacy patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for use in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Previous efforts have been made to develop translational models between PROMIS domains and legacy PROMs in adult spinal deformity, but translational models for pediatric and adolescent patients with spinal deformity have not yet been developed. Scores were retrospectively collected on pediatric patients 8-17 years old who were diagnosed with spinal asymmetry or scoliosis for the following PROMs: Scoliosis Research Society-22r (SRS-22r), Trunk Appearance Perception Scale (TAPS), Hospital for Special Surgery Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS), and PROMIS Pediatric Domains: Pain Interference, Mobility, Physical Stress Experiences, Psychological Stress Experiences, and Physical Activity. Pearson correlations were calculated between legacy and PROMIS scores. In the derivation cohort, PROMIS domains were modeled from SRS-22r or HSS Pedi-FABS using linear regression. These equations were used to predict PROMIS scores in the test cohort to determine the reliability of the translation model. A total of 1171 patients (68% female) with a mean age of 13.4 ± 2.3 years were included in the final analyses. PROMIS Pain Interference was dependent on SRS-22r domains Pain, Function, Mental Health, and Management Satisfaction, PROMIS Mobility was dependent on SRS-22r Pain, Function, Mental Health, and Self-Image, PROMIS Physical Stress Experiences and Psychological Stress Experiences were dependent on SRS-22r Pain, Mental Health, and Management Satisfaction, and PROMIS Physical Activity was dependent on HSS Pedi-FABS. (P < 0.05 for all). In the test cohort, all developed models for PROMIS domains demonstrated strong correlations between estimated and actual scores (r = 0.63-0.75). All of the evaluated PROMIS domains (Pain Interference, Mobility, Physical Stress Experiences, Psychological Stress Experiences, Physical Activity) were reliably translated directly from these legacy scores for pediatric and adolescent patients with spinal deformity.Level of Evidence: 3.

Different Dose Regimens of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Adolescent Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different dose regimens of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) in adolescent spinal deformity surgery. Methods Two researchers independently searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to find studies that met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was performed based on the guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook. Results Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eleven non-RCTs were identified, including 1148 patients. According to different dose regimens of IV TXA, the included studies were divided into the high-dose group and the low-dose group. Compared with placebo, both groups had less total blood loss (TBL) (high dose: WMD = −1737.55, 95% CI: (-2247.16, -1227.94), P < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low dose: WMD = −528.67, 95% CI: (-666.06, -391.28), P < 0.001, I2 = 0%), intraoperative blood loss (IBL) (high dose: WMD = −301.48, 95% CI: (-524.3, -78.66), P = 0.008, I2 = 60.3%; low dose: WMD = −751.14, 95% CI: (-967.21, -535.08), P < 0.001, I2 = 0%), and blood transfusion rates (high dose: RR = 0.19, 95% CI: (0.1, 0.37), P < 0.001, I2 = 0%; low dose: RR = 0.4, 95% CI: (0.18, 0.91), P = 0.029, I2 = 57%). High-dose IV TXA use was associated with more vertebral fusion segments (WMD = 0.53, 95% CI: (0.23, 0.82), P < 0.001, I2 = 31.2%). Low-dose IV TXA use was associated with shorter operative time (WMD = −18.43, 95% CI: (-26.68, -10.17), P < 0.001, I2 = 0%). Conclusion High-dose and low-dose IV TXA were effective in reducing TBL, IBL, and blood transfusion rates without increasing complications in adolescent patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery. Low-dose IV TXA was effective in reducing the operative time. Both the high-dose and low-dose groups had similar preoperative and postoperative Hb levels compared to the control group.

Multimodal pain control in adolescent posterior spinal fusion patients: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial to validate the effect of gabapentin on postoperative pain control, opioid use, and patient satisfaction.

Prospective double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The objective of this study was to validate the efficacy of gabapentin as part of a multimodal pain regimen in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial for patients aged 10-19years with idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion. Perioperative pain management represents a challenge for patients undergoing surgical correction of adolescent spinal deformity. Gabapentin has been shown to decrease postoperative pain and opioid use after spine surgery, but it has not yet been investigated as part of a multimodal pain regimen intended to decrease the perioperative use of opioids. Fifty patients were randomized to receive gabapentin or placebo pre- and postoperatively in addition to a standardized medication regime including scheduled ketorolac and as-needed acetaminophen, hydromorphone, and oxycodone. Patients were monitored in the pre-, peri-, and postoperative periods for pain levels, medication dosing, side effects, adverse events, hospitalization length of stay, and parent satisfaction. There were statistically significant decreases in early postoperative pain scores and opioid use as well as total postoperative opioid use for the treatment group relative to controls. There were no statistically significant differences in adverse events, medication side effects, or hospitalization length. Parents of patients in both groups were very satisfied with the pain control provided to their children. This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that pre- and postoperative administration of gabapentin as part of a multimodal pain management protocol significantly decreases both opioid use and visual analog pain scales in the first two postoperative days after posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Gabapentin should be considered as a standard medication for perioperative pain control in this patient population. Level I.

Is It Necessary to Evaluate the Craniocervical Junction with Computed Tomoghraphy in Adolescent Spinal Deformities?

To assess the craniocervical junction (CCJ) by using radiological measurements in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and Scheuermann?s kyphosis (SK), and to compare those reults with healthy adolescent population. Patients were assigned to three groups. Group 1 consisted of AIS patients, Group 2 consisted of patients with SK, and Group 3 was the control group who did not have any spinal disorder. The groups were matched based on age and gender. Major Cobb angle and kyphosis angle were measured on X-Ray. asion-axial interval (BAI), basion-dens interval (BDI), posterior atlantodental interval (PADI), anterior atlantodental interval (ADI), atlanto-occipital interval (AOI), and Power?s ratio were measured by computerized tomography. The results were compared in each group statistically. A total of 120 participants, comprised of 78 (65%) female and 42 (35%) male were included in the study. There was no statistically difference between 3 groups based on age and gender (p > 0.05). According to the measurements, Group 3 had significantly higher PADI measurements than Group 1 (p=0.01). The ADI measurements of Group 2 were significantly higher than those of Group 1 and Group 3 (p=0.01). Group 3 had significantly higher BDI measurements than Group 1 and Group 2. (p=0.01). The Power ratios of Group 1 and Group 3 were statistically higher than that of Group 2 (p=0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of AOI and BAI measurements (p=0.84, p=0.18, respectively). The presence of AIS and SK may affect the measurement of CCJ, and it may be considered to evaluate instability of the region.

Progress in perioperative pain management of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery

To review the advances in perioperative pain management of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery. Regular analgesics, drug administrations, and analgesic regimens were reviewed and summarized by consulting domestic and overseas related literatures about perioperative pain management of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery in recent years. As for perioperative analgesis regimens of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery, regular analgesics include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, antiepileptic drugs, adrenergic agonists, and local anesthetic, etc. Besides drug administration by mouth, intravenous injection, and intramuscular injection, the administration also includes patient controlled analgesia, epidural injection, and intrathecal injection. Multimodal analgesia is the most important regimen currently. Heretofore, a number of perioperative pain managements of pediatric and adolescent spinal deformity corrective surgery have been applied clinically, but the ideal regimen has not been developed. To design a safe and effective analgesic regimen needs further investigations.

Mental health of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and their parents in China: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundsAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is an adolescent onset spinal deformity, which can negatively affect the mental health of these patients. But no studies about their parental mental health have been reported so far. In this study, the parental mental health of AIS patients and the associated risk factors were evaluated by a cross-sectional survey.Methods64 AIS patients who underwent conservative or surgical treatments in our hospital from April 2017 to March 2018, and their parents were enrolled in the AIS group. 85 parents of healthy children were enrolled in the control group. Depression and anxiety were separately assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7). Spearman correlation coefficients were first estimated to investigate the relationships among the parental PHQ-9/GAD-7 scores and the patient’s PHQ-9/GAD-7 scores in the AIS group. Then, the morbidities of the parental probable major depressive disorder (pMDD, PHQ score ≥ 10) and probable general anxiety disorder (pGAD, GAD-7 score ≥ 10) were compared between the AIS and control groups. Third, the potential risk factors for parental pMDD or pGAD in the AIS group were compared using the chi-squared test or Student’s t-test, respectively. Finally, the uneven distributive variates were analyzed using the binary logistic regression model.ResultsBoth parental depression and anxiety were moderately associated with those of the patients (r = 0.448~0.515, p < 0.01) in the AIS group, respectively. The morbidities of parental pMDD and pGAD in the AIS group were 14.1%, significantly higher than those in the control group (pMDD = 4.7%, p = 0.045; pGAD = 3.5%, p = 0.019). A Cobb angle of the major curve ≥50° (p = 0.034, odds ratio [OR] = 8.264), patients with pMDD (p = 0.018, OR = 17.576), and low education level of the parents (p = 0.026, OR = 0.122) were the risk factors of parental pMDD. Household income < 8000 rmb/month was the risk factor for parental pGAD (p = 0.021).ConclusionsThe morbidities of pMDD and pGAD in parents of AIS patients were higher than those in parents of healthy children. Parental depression and anxiety were closely associated with their children’s depression and anxiety. Therefore, the parental mental health of AIS patients should be paid attention to, especially for those parents with risk factors.

Quality of Life Improvement Following Surgery in Adolescent Spinal Deformity Patients: A Comparison Between Scheuermann Kyphosis and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis*

Study DesignPreoperative and two-year follow-up health-related quality of life (HRQOL) data were prospectively collected in 82 Scheuermann kyphosis (SK) and 995 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients using the Scoliosis Research Society–22 patient questionnaire (SRS-22) outcomes instrument in a multicenter study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were also collected for the SK population. ObjectivesThis study assessed changes in HRQOL prospectively and compared them to those occurring in AIS. Summary of Background DataThere has been limited evaluation of patient-reported HRQOL changes with operative management of SK. MethodsMedian SRS values for the SK and AIS cohorts were compared using a repeated measure of analysis of variance with age as a covariate and using a Mann-Whitney U nonparametric comparison. ResultsKyphosis was corrected from 73.9° to 45.8° (p < .001); the major curve in AIS was corrected from 55.5 to 20.2 (p < .001). Preoperative and magnitude of radiographic correction, kyphosis apex and body mass index in SK were not correlated with baseline or change in HRQOL. SK SRS scores improved after surgery in all domains with the greatest change (2.8–4.4) in self-image (p < .001). Changes in SRS Pain, Activity, and Self-Image domains met the minimal clinically important difference. Baseline SK and AIS scores differed significantly in the Self-Image, Mental Health and Total Score domains, with SK having worse scores (p < .001). At two years postoperatively, the greatest improvements were made in Self-Image, along with Mental Health and Total Score, and the SK group achieved greater gains (p < .001). At two years postoperatively, the SK scores improved to reach equivalent values to the AIS scores. VAS scores improved from 3.69 to 1.51, and these changes were correlated with change in the Pain, Mental Health, and Total Score SRS domains (p < .001). ConclusionsSurgery for SK in the adolescent population results in significant improvements in HRQOL, which outpace those of the AIS population. Level of EvidenceLevel II.

Posterior-only surgery with preoperative skeletal traction for management of severe scoliosis.

The surgical treatment of severe adolescent spinal deformities is challenging and carries substantial risks of mortality and morbidity. To mitigate this risk, surgeons have employed various methods as this study designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of preoperative halo-femoral or halo gravity traction (HGT) followed by posterior-only surgery in the management of severe scoliosis. A total number of 23 patients with severe scoliosis treated by preoperative skeletal traction (halo gravity or halo femoral) followed by posterior fusion and instrumentation in one stage. All patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years after surgery. The average age of the patients was 12.7 years at the time of surgery. Mean of the Cobb angle improved from 99.9° ± 8.2° preoperatively to 75.3° ± 8° post-traction and 49.5° ± 7.7° postoperatively. Kyphosis angle corrected from 56.4° ± 9.5° to 38.6° ± 5.8°. The preop-FVC% was 41 ± 6.1% and after 1 year follow-up FVC% was 45.7 ± 7.7%. No patients required an anterior release due to amount of their deformity. Despite the benefits of modern instrumentation procedures, the treatment of severe scoliosis can be very competing. We think that by applying preoperative halo femoral traction and halo-gravity traction, managing severe scoliosis will be in safe and easy manner and can lead to better deformity correction and less neurological complications and facilitate to avoid anterior operation for severe scoliosis and its related complications.

Body Mass Index in Adolescent Spinal Deformity: Comparison of Scheuermann's Kyphosis, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, and Normal Controls

Study DesignProspective, multicenter study of Scheuermann's kyphosis (SK) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) compared to a control group. ObjectivesCompare body mass index (BMI) and Scoliosis Research Society Questionnaire–22 (SRS-22) scores among two diagnosis and one control group. Summary of Background DataBMI has been reported as increased in SK patients; however, there are few recent data on this subject or comparing SK to AIS. MethodsNinety-two SK patients (37 female, 55 male, average age 16 years), 1,051 AIS patients (814 female, 237 male, average age 15 years), and 380 adolescents without scoliosis (controls) were compared based on age, gender, race, height (m), weight (kg), BMI, and SRS-22 scores. An analysis of variance was used to test differences in BMI and SRS-22 scores between the groups and between males and females. Pearson correlations determined the relationship between AIS T5–T12 kyphosis and BMI, SK max kyphosis and BMI, and to determine the relationship between BMI and SRS-22 scores in each group. ResultsMore SK patients were “obese” and “overweight” (28% and 22%) compared to the AIS (6% and 9%) and Control groups (5.8% and 17.9%) (p < .001). More AIS patients were “underweight” (27%, SK: 13%, Control: 12.1%; p < .03). T5–T12 kyphosis was weakly correlated with BMI (r = 0.17), whereas max kyphosis correlated well with BMI (r = 0.39, p < .00). The SK group had significantly lower (worse) SRS-22 scores than AIS patients in the Pain (3.97 vs. 4.10), Self-Image (2.86 vs. 3.35), Mental Health (3.72 vs. 4.02), and Total Score domains (3.62 vs. 3.92, p < .001). Increased pain scores were weakly correlated with decreasing BMI in all three groups. ConclusionsSK patients are at increased risk for elevated BMI and worse SRS-22 scores, indicating that they may suffer from delayed diagnosis and increased surgical complications. AIS patients are at increased risk for issues related to low BMI and should also be monitored.

Greater operative volume is associated with lower complication rates in adolescent spinal deformity surgery.

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the 2001 to 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. To assess complication rates in adolescent spinal deformity by surgeon operative volume for procedures with a range of complexity. Surgeons performing higher volumes of lumbar spinal fusion have been associated with improved surgical outcomes, according to studies using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. This relationship has not been shown in adolescent spinal deformity surgery. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for patients aged 10 to 18 years with in-hospital stays including spinal arthrodesis for scoliosis (adolescent idiopathic, neuromuscular, and congenital scoliosis). The primary end point was hospital stay morbidity: database-defined surgical, mechanical, major medical, and neurological complications. Length of stay and hospital charges were also analyzed. Annual surgeon volumes were stratified into quartiles based on number of cases (Q1: 1, Q2: 2-7, Q3: 8-19, and Q4: 20-97). To account for variation in surgical invasiveness, an operative complexity index was used. One-way analysis of variance was used to assess differences between quartiles for continuous measures and χ for categorical measures. A total of 6100 spine fusion cases met inclusion criteria for adolescent scoliosis. All complications categories were less frequent for higher volume surgeons after a primary fusion for all diagnoses. This pattern held for increasing surgical invasiveness, such as fusing 9 or more levels and became more distinct for neurological complications when comparing surgeons performing combined anterior-posterior procedures. Including all adolescent scoliosis fusions, higher surgical volume was associated with decreased length of stay and hospital charges. Perioperative complications after adolescent scoliosis fusion surgery are more frequent in lower volume settings. This may reflect a learning curve required for more complex cases as the trends are magnified in neuromuscular/congenital scoliosis cases or simply that higher volume surgeons are more adept at these fusions. The impact of volume on reduced length of stay and hospital charges has implications for future health care economics measures. 2.

Reliability of X-ray Image-Based Evaluation of Pedicle Screw Misplacement in Adolescent Spinal Deformity

Reliability of X-ray Image-Based Evaluation of Pedicle Screw Misplacement in Adolescent Spinal Deformity

Association between body mass index, body height, and the prevalence of spinal deformities

Background contextThe most common spinal deformities among adolescents are adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS; 2%–3% prevalence) and Scheuermann kyphosis (SK; 1%–8% prevalence). Both are believed to have a genetic influence in their etiology. The association between body mass index (BMI) and body stature and their possible association to spinal deformities is uncertain. Study designA cross-sectional prevalence study. PurposeTo examine the prevalence of all adolescent spinal deformities according to the extent of their severity as well as their possible association to BMI and body height. Outcome measuresSubjects diagnosed as having spinal deformities were classified into one of three severity groups; “Mild,” “Intermediate,” or “Severe,” according to their curve scoliosis or kyphosis measurement with a standing X-ray. MethodsThe data for this study were derived from a medical database containing records of 17-year-old male and female patients before their recruitment into mandatory military service. Information on the disability codes associated with spinal deformities according to the Regulations of Medical Fitness Determination was retrieved. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between the BMI and body height to various degrees of spinal deformities by severity. ResultsThe study cohort included 829,791 consecutive subjects, of whom 103,249 were diagnosed with spinal deformities (76% were mild in degree). The prevalence of spinal deformities was significantly greater among the underweight male and female patients (p<.001). Increased BMI had a protective effect for developing spinal deformities. The odds ratios for severe spinal deformities were greater compared with mild spinal deformities in the underweight groups. The risk for developing spinal deformities increased significantly with height for both genders (p<.001). ConclusionsAn association between height and the risk for spinal deformities by severity was found for all height groups. Below normal BMI is associated with severity of spinal deformities, whereas above-normal BMI apparently has a protective effect. Body height is also positively associated with the severity of spinal deformities.