Volumetric and Fatty Infiltration Imbalance of Deep Paravertebral Muscles in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

BACKGROUND Several studies have described the differences in electromyographic activity and histological changes of paravertebral muscles in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, there is little knowledge about the muscle volumetric and fatty infiltration imbalance of patients with AIS. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-four patients with AIS were evaluated with standardized anteroposterior (AP) and lateral standing films for the location and direction of the apex of scoliosis, coronal Cobb angle, apex vertebra translation, and thoracic kyphosis; and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the spine at the level of T4-L1.