Fact-sheet: Scoliosis
Updated on 08/25/2020 at 4:49 PM
View all RADEOS cases associated with this fact-sheet
Definition
Deformity of the spine in all three planes (sagittal, frontal, transverse).
The topographic types of scoliosis are defined by the apex of the curves:
- Cervical: C1-C6
- Cervicothoracic: C7 or T1
- Thoracic: T2 and T11
- Thoracolumbar: T2 or L1
- Lumbar: L2 or L4
- Lumbosacral: L5 or S1
The right or left side of the scoliosis is defined by the side of the convexity.
Clinical features
- Back pain
- Low back pain
- Stiffness of the paravertebral muscles
- Chronic respiratory insufficiency
- Dysraphism, cutaneous abnormalities
Radiography
Frontal radiograph:
Calculation of the Cobb angle in the frontal plane: (< 30°).
Angle formed by the perpendiculars
to the tangents to the superior endplate of the upper end vertebra and the inferior endplate of the lower end vertebra, given that:
- End vertebrae: the most tilted relative to the horizontal, at the extremities of the major curve
- Apical vertebra: the least tilted, the most horizontal
Lateral radiograph:
Sagittal balance, with a line passing through the external auditory canals and the femoral heads.
Calculation of pelvic incidence
MRI
Useful for searching for a spinal cord malformation associated with a cause of secondary scoliosis.
Management
- Search for secondary causes of scoliosis
- Search for associated malformations
- Clinical and radiological follow-up
- EOS system to reduce delivered doses.
Differential diagnosis
- Scoliotic attitude