The major concern for scoliosis in young children is the potential for poor pulmonary function and increased mortality. Early arthrodesis as well as severe spinal deformities can lead to ‘thoracic insufficiency syndrome’ by arresting spine growth and altering the shape of the thorax which results in restrictive lung disease. Several growth friendly instrumentation systems have been introduced to allow for growth until the timing is appropriate for spinal fusion for early onset scoliosis. The terminolgy of ‘growth friendly procedures ‘ is used for those which guide the growth of the spine. Growth modulation procedures are different from growth friendly procedures in the sense that vertebral growth is modulated and not guided. We aim to familiarize the radiologist by reviewing the types of ‘growing spine’ procedures performed at our hospital with an emphasis on what the radiologists should know and include in their reports. Read More

Meeting name: SPR 2017 Annual Meeting & Categorical Course , 2017

Authors: Eksioglu Secil, Nasto Luigi, Miyanji Firoz, Bray Heather

Keywords: Scoliosis, Growing spine, Growth friendly