Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Congenital, Education, Conventional radiography, MR, CT, Neuroradiology spine, Musculoskeletal spine, Bones
Authors:
A. U. Desai, S. Saha, G. Nussbaum, R. Houghton; London/UK
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-0469
Conclusion
Understanding of the nomenclature and key measurements used describing scoliosis is essential in constructing accurate and informative reports.
Identification of primary and secondary curves is required for accurate classification and treatment planning.
The causes of scoliosis can be broadly classified into idopathic,
congenital,
neuromuscular and pathological.
Idiopathic scoliosis is diagnosed after underlying causes are excluded and is generally further classified according to patient age and disease characteristics as infantile (age 0–3 years),
juvenile (age 4–10 years),
or adolescent (age 11–18 years).
Adult-type idiopathic scoliosis is defined as idiopathic scoliosis that is detected after skeletal maturity has been achieved.
Juvenile scoliosis and congenital scoliosis are considered to represent progressive forms of disease,
whereas infantile and adolescent scoliosis are not generally progressive.
Both MR imaging and CT can be recommended for the detection of underlying causes of scoliosis.
CT is also used in preoperative planning.
The use of MR imaging in presumed idiopathic scoliosis is warranted in the presence of atypical features.
Management options are observation,
bracing,
and surgery.
Bracing is of no benefit after skeletal maturity.