Neuromuscular lordoscoliosis: an unusual response to post-operative halo-gravity traction.

Purpose: To report the results of prolonged post-operative halo-gravity traction in a patient in whom the surgery had to be interrupted unexpectedly and for whom subsequently specific clinical circumstances contraindicated completion of the surgical procedure.

Methods: The patient was a 15-year-old male with severe cervico-dorsolumbar lordoscoliosis who was being studied for associated diffuse axonal injury. He performed halo-gravity traction for 12 weeks.

Surgical treatment of segmental spinal dysgenesis: a report of 19 cases.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To describe clinical presentation, surgical management, long-term results, and complications in patients with segmental spinal dysgenesis (SSD). In addition, we sought to emphasize early surgery for this complex congenital abnormality.

Long-term results of hemivertebra excision: How does the spine behave after the peak of puberty?

Introduction: Early hemivertebra (HV) excision and posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is advocated as the treatment of choice in congenital kyphoscoliosis. We assessed global spinal balance and spinal deformity status once the pubertal peak has taken place, in children with a history of HV excision and PSF at age younger than 5 years.

Methods: Twenty-seven children with congenital kyphoscoliosis without co-existing proximal/distal congenital spinal abnormalities who underwent HV excision and PSF of ≤ 5 levels at age younger than 5 years and who had reached the peak of puberty at the last follow-up visit were evaluated.

Scoliosis in spinal muscular atrophy: is the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging necessary?

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of intraspinal alterations in scoliosis due to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

Methods: Cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study. Fifty-six patients with SMA diagnosis required surgical treatment due to scoliosis.

Antibiotic prophylaxis in high-risk pediatric spine surgery: Is cefazolin enough?

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To describe pathogens found in SSI during pediatric-instrumented spine surgery, and to assess the relationship between pathogens and the etiology of the spinal deformity. Surgical site infection (SSI) after pediatric spine fusion is a well-known complication with incidence rates between 0.

Inpatient versus outpatient halo-gravity traction in children with severe spinal deformity.

Study Design: A retrospective, comparative study.

Objective: To compare the results, complications, and costs of preoperative halo-gravity traction in in- and outpatient settings.

Background Data: Surgical management of severe spinal deformities remains complex and controversial.

Quality of life and patient satisfaction in bracing treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: Bracing is used as a valid non-surgical treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) to avoid progression of the deformity and thereby surgery. The effect of bracing treatment on quality of life of patients with AIS has been a topic of interest in the international literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and patient satisfaction during bracing treatment for AIS of a pediatric hospital.

Surgical Treatment With Pedicle Screws of Scoliosis Associated With Osteogenesis Imperfecta in Children.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To assess results of posterior instrumented fusion using pedicle screws in 12 children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) with spinal deformity at a single institution from 2001 to 2012.

Summary Of Background Data: This is the first case series of OI patients who underwent non-cement augmented screw-rod instrumented fusion published in the literature.

Neurophysiological Monitoring in Radiofrequency Ablation of Spinal Osteoid Osteoma With a Progressive Time and Temperature Protocol in Children.

Study Design: Retrospective. Level IV Evidence.

Objective: To assess the utility of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) to detect and eventually prevent impending neurovascular damage during computed tomography (CT)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spinal osteoid osteoma (OO) in children.

Hemivertebra Resection With Instrumented Fusion by Posterior Approach in Children.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with congenital scoliosis due to hemivertebra (HV) and performed resection with instrumentation through posterior approach-only with long term follow-up.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess results of HV resection by posterior approach-only with instrumentation between 2002 and 2011.

Summary And Background Data: Hemiepiphysiodesis, arthrodesis in situ and resection without instrumentation had been performed in the past with different results.