Does intervertebral disc degeneration in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis correlate with patient-reported pain scores? A review of 968 cases.

Purpose: Report the rate and severity of degenerative disc disease (DDD) in non-surgical adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and correlate these findings with patient-reported symptomatology scores. Additionally, to quantify the rate of concurrent pathological radiological findings in this group.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review study at a single tertiary centre.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Does Anterior-Posterior Spinal Fusion Still have a Role in Severe Thoracic Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis?

Background: Debate exists as to whether anterior-posterior spinal fusion (APSF), rather than posterior-only spinal fusion (PSF), provides benefit for treating severe thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This systematic review and meta-analysis compare (1) Cobb angle correction, (2) complication and reoperation rate, (3) pulmonary function, (4) number of fused segments, and 5) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in both groups.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify studies that met the following inclusion criteria: comparative studies (level 3 or above), severe thoracic curves (≥ 70°), age ≤ 16, AIS aetiology, Lenke 1-4 curves and follow-up ≥ 1 year for ≥ 95% of patient population.

Clinical Outcome of Coccygectomy Using a Paramedian Curvilinear Skin Incision in Adults and Children With Meta-Analysis of the Literature Focusing on Postoperative Wound Infection.

Study Design: A single surgeon case series and of literature.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcome and patient satisfaction following coccygectomy for coccygodynia in adults and children using a curvilinear paramedian skin incision and to conduct a meta-analysis of the literature to determine the associated infection rate with different surgical factors.

Methods: 45 consecutive patients (40 adults and 5 children) underwent surgical coccygectomy for persistent coccygodynia symptoms using a paramedian curvilinear incision.

Is the routine use of magnetic resonance imaging indicated in patients with scoliosis?

Background: To assess the reliability of the indicators for performing magnetic resonance imaging in patients with scoliosis and assess the incidence of neural axis anomalies in a population with scoliosis referred to a specialist centre.

Methods: A retrospective review of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports of all patients under the age of 18 who underwent a pre-operative MRI for investigation of their scoliosis between 2009 and 2014 at a single institution was performed.

Results: There were 851 patients who underwent an MRI scan of their whole spine with a mean age of 14.

Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods: The Experience of Mechanical Failure from a Single Center Consecutive Series of 28 Children with a Minimum Follow-up of 2 Years.

Study Design: Retrospective observational study of a continuous series of 28 children.

Purpose: To determine the mechanical failure rate in our cohort of children treated with magnetically controlled growth rods (MCGRs).

Overview Of Literature: Previous studies report a MCGR mechanical failure rate of 0%-75%.

Does the law of diminishing returns apply to the lengthening of the MCGR rod in early onset scoliosis with reference to growth velocity?

Background: This study is a single centre retrospective review of prospectively collected data. The 'law of diminishing returns' describes the number of lengthening episodes that a traditional growth rod (TGR) can undergo before stiffness across the construct prevents further increases in overall length. It is unclear whether this will affect MCGR when used in the management of early onset scoliosis (EOS).

Paper #15: A United Kingdom single centre review of the impact of extended waiting times in Early-Onset Scoliosis: the effect of a delay to surgical treatment of greater than 12 months.

Early onset scoliosis (EOS) represents a uniquely challenging demographic with increased complexity compared to other forms of scoliosis. Timely intervention is necessary to ensure optimal outcome. Delays to surgery can lead to impaired physical function, reduced pulmonary function or a change in planned surgery.

The orthopaedic manifestations of Smith-Magenis syndrome.

Smith-Magenis syndrome is a rare condition, which occurs due to interstitial deletion of chromosome 17. In order to evaluate the various orthopaedic characteristics of this syndrome, we examined 22 patients in the UK. The orthopaedic characteristics included brachydactily, short stature, flat feet and scoliosis.