Lumbar Scoliosis Cobb Angle Research Articles

Assessment of the association between paraspinal muscle degeneration and quality of life in patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

The present study aimed to determine the characteristics of multifidus, erector spinae and psoas major degeneration in elderly patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and the correlation between asymmetric changes and patient quality of life. A total of 49 patients with lumbar scoliosis (DLS group) and 38 healthy individuals (control group) were prospectively examined. The functional cross-sectional area, cross-sectional area difference index (CDI) and fat infiltration rate (FIR) of the multifidus, erector spinae and psoas major at the apical vertebral level were measured using MRI. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score were used to evaluate patient quality of life. Correlations between the degree of asymmetric muscular degeneration and quality of life were analysed. The CDI of the multifidus, erector spinal and psoas major was higher in the DLS group compared with that in the control group. The CDI of the multifidus was found to be positively associated with the Cobb angle of lumbar scoliosis. Similar results were obtained for fat infiltration between the two groups. In addition, the CDI and FIR difference index of the multifidus was positively correlated with the VAS score and ODI but negatively correlated with the SF-36 score. The quality of life significantly decreased with increasing asymmetric atrophy and fat infiltration in the multifidus. Thus, strategies to enhance the function of the multifidus may have a positive impact on quality of life (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, registration date, 2018.11.12; registration no. ChiCTR1800019459.).

Correlative analysis of degenerative lumbar scoliosis and osteoporosis

To investigate the correlation between degenerative lumbar scoliosis and osteoporosis in adults. From March 2012 to June 2016, the clinical data of 53 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were retrospectively analyzed for a correlation study between degenerative lumbar scoliosis and osteoporosis. Fifty-three patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were selected as observation group and another 53 inpatients without lumbar scoliosis as control group. There were 11 males and 42 females with an average age of 69 years (range 63 to 76 years) old in observation group. And in control group, there were 16 males and 37 females with an average age of 68.5 years (range 59 to 74 years) old, including lumbar disc herniation in 33 cases, lumbar spinal stenosis in 13 cases, spondylolisthesis in 7 cases. The 53 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were confirmed by X-ray and MRI, their Cobb angle of lumbar scoliosis was measured. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone mineral density, the T values of L₂-L₄ segments, femoral neck, Ward triangle and femoral trochanter were recorded. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between osteoporosis and degenerative lumbar scoliosis. There were significant differences in the bone mineral density T values between two groups (P<0.05). Bone mineral density T value in patients with lumbar scoliosis were significantly higher than that in the patients with no lumbar scoliosis (P<0.05), (-2.56±0.65 vs -1.39±0.77). The T values of L₂-L₄ segments, femoral neck, Ward triangle and femoral trochanter had no remarkable correlation with Cobb's angles. Osteoporosis is a risk factor for degenerative scoliosis, but the severity of osteoporosis and degree of scoliosis has no obvious correlation.

Abnormal change of paravertebral muscle in adult degenerative scoliosis and its association with bony structural parameters

While many studies have explored the association between paravertebral muscle (PVM) change and low back pain/lumbar spinal stenosis, little is known about PVM change in adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS). The present study explored the PVM change in ADS and investigated its association with bony structural parameters. We evaluated 78 patients in ADS without radiculopathy (ADS group) and 65 healthy persons without degenerative lumbar diseases (control group). Percentage of fat infiltration area (%FIA) of multifidus muscle at L1 to S1 disk level was measured by MRI, using ImageJ software. Lumbar scoliosis Cobb's angle, lumbar lordotic angle, lateral vertebral translation, and apical vertebral rotation were recorded in ADS group, and relationship between PVM change and these factors was analyzed. In the control group, the mean %FIA of multifidus muscle was not significantly different between the bilateral sides at all levels (P > 0.05). In the ADS group, the mean %FIA was significantly higher on the concave side than the convex side at all levels (P < 0.05). Asymmetric degree of multifidus muscle change was 8.55% ± 4.91%, which was positively correlated with lumbar scoliosis Cobb's angle, lateral vertebral translation, and apical vertebral rotation (0 < r < 1, P < 0.05), but negatively weak-correlated with lumbar lordotic angle (- 1 < r < 0, P < 0.05). Asymmetric PVM change in ADS is more often seen on the concave side, which is positive to evaluate the progression of scoliosis. Its asymmetric degree increases with progression of lumbar scoliosis Cobb's angle and decreased lumbar lordotic angle. Apical vertebral rotation and lateral vertebral translation can aggravate the asymmetric degree.

Comparison of Parameters Characterizing Lumbar Lordosis in Radiograph and Photogrammetric Examination of Adults

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to test validity of photogrammetry compared with radiography as a method of measuring the Cobb angle and the size of anterior-posterior spine curvatures in adults. MethodsThe study included 50 volunteers, 23 men and 27 women whose mean age was 52.6 years. The average weight of the subjects was 81.3 kg, average body height was 172.0 cm, and the average body mass index was 27.4. Based on radiologic examination, the length and depth of lumbar lordosis were determined and the size of the Cobb angle of lumbar scoliosis. After the radiologic examination, a photogrammetric test was performed for each subject with the projection moire phenomenon. ResultsThe Pearson correlation found statistically significant associations concerning the length of lordosis (P < .001) and the Cobb angle (P < .001). Correlation of the depth of lordosis indicated a strong trend (P = .063). ConclusionsThis study found that the moire method of photogrammetric measurement produced similar findings to radiographic measurements in determining size of the Cobb angle and the length of lumbar lordosis.