A segmental radiological study of the spine and rib – cage in children with progressive Infantile Idiopathic Scoliosis
2006

Study of Spine and Rib Cage in Children with Scoliosis

Sample size: 24 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Grivas Theodoros B, Burwell Geoffrey R, Vasiliadis Elias S, Webb John K

Primary Institution: Orthopaedic Department, 'Thriasion' General Hospital, Greece

Hypothesis

The predictive value of vertebral rotation at the upper limit of a thoracic curve of IIS reflects impaired rib control of spinal rotation due to neuromuscular factors.

Conclusion

The thorax of children with progressive infantile idiopathic scoliosis is narrower and funnel-shaped compared to controls, indicating impaired rib control of spinal rotation.

Supporting Evidence

  • The scoliotic thorax is significantly narrower than that of the controls at all spinal levels.
  • The upper chest in IIS is funnel-shaped.
  • Vertebral rotation at T4 correlates significantly with apical vertebral rotation at follow-up.

Takeaway

This study found that kids with a certain type of spine curve have a narrower chest than kids without that curve, which might affect how their ribs grow.

Methodology

Measured thoracic ratios and vertebral rotation using radiographs of scoliotic patients and control subjects.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in selecting control subjects from a population with minimal disorders.

Limitations

The study only considers frontal plane radiographs, which may limit the understanding of scoliotic curvatures.

Participant Demographics

24 children with progressive IIS (16 boys, 8 girls) aged 1.1 to 9.1 years; 233 control subjects aged 1 to 10 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1748-7161-1-17

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