Achieving maximal voluntary contraction of paraspinal muscles requires two tasks: Insight from an EMG study of females with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

An accurate estimation of maximal voluntary muscle activation is critical for normalisation in scientific studies. Only a handful of studies appropriately normalise muscle activation data when investigating paraspinal muscle activity in populations such as adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). This neglect compromises the ability to interpret data.

Segmental deformity markers offer novel indicators of deformity progression risk in deformity-matched adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Purpose: Identification of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with mild curvatures who pose significant risk of progressing to severe levels of curvatures is of paramount importance for clinical care. This study aimed to compare segmental deformity changes in AIS sub-cohorts that are dichotomised by progression status.

Methods: Thirty-six female participants with Lenke 1 AIS curves were investigated with sequential MRIs during growth.

Comparison of physiological and behavioral nutrition-related factors in people with and without adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, from cohort data at 8 to 20 years.

Nutrition-related variables including lower body mass index (BMI), lower bone mineral density (BMD), altered body composition and hormone levels have been reported in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The aims of this study were to determine if physiological and behavioral nutrition-related factors differ between people with and without AIS, and to quantify their relationship with AIS, in unbiased cohort sample. BMI, presence of an eating disorder, leptin, adiponectin, BMD, vitamin D, lean mass, and fat mass were compared between those with and without AIS at ages 8, 10, 14, 17, and 20 years, and multiple logistic regression was performed between these variables and AIS.

Quantifying Typical Progression of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Longitudinal Three-Dimensional MRI Measures of Disk and Vertebral Deformities.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Detail typical three-dimensional segmental deformities and their rates of change that occur within developing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) spines over multiple timepoints.

Summary Of Background Data: AIS is a potentially progressive deforming condition that occurs in three dimensions of the scoliotic spine during periods of growth.

Quantifying Muscle Size Asymmetry in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Study Design: This is a case-control study of prospectively collected data.

Objective: To quantify paraspinal muscle size asymmetry in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and determine if this asymmetry is (i) greater than observed in adolescent controls with symmetrical spines; and (ii) positively associated with skeletal maturity using Risser grade, scoliosis severity using the Cobb angle, and chronological age in years.

Summary Of Background Data: AIS is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine which occurs in 2.

Vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a recent procedure to correct and reduce spinal curves in skeletally immature patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the expected curve reduction and potential complications for adolescent patients after VBT.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases were searched until February 2022.

Development and validation of a semi-automated measurement tool for calculating consistent and reliable surface metrics describing cosmesis in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a 3D spine deformity that also causes ribcage and torso distortion. While clinical metrics are important for monitoring disorder progression, patients are often most concerned about their cosmesis. The aim of this study was to automate the quantification of AIS cosmesis metrics, which can be measured reliably from patient-specific 3D surface scans (3DSS).

Predicting spinal column profile from surface topography via 3D non-contact surface scanning.

Introduction: 3D Non-Contact surface scanning (3DSS) is used in both biomechanical and clinical studies to capture accurate 3D images of the human torso, and to better understand the shape and posture of the spine-both healthy and pathological. This study sought to determine the efficacy and accuracy of using 3DSS of the posterior torso, to determine the curvature of the spinal column in the lateral lying position.

Methods: A cohort of 50 healthy adults underwent 3DSS and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to correlate the contours of the external spine surface with the internal spinal column.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis 3D vertebral morphology, progression and nomenclature: a current concepts review.

Purpose: There has been a recent shift toward the analysis of the pathoanatomical variation of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) spine with the three dimensions, and research of level-wise vertebral body morphology in single anatomical planes is now replete within the field. In addition to providing a precise description of the osseous structures that are the focus of instrumented surgical interventions, understanding the anatomical variation between vertebral bodies will elucidate possible pathoaetiological mechanisms of the onset of scoliotic deformity.

Methods: This review aimed to discuss the current landscape of AIS segmental vertebral morphology research and provide a comprehensive report of the typical patterns observed at the individual vertebral level.

Characterization of progressive changes in pedicle morphometry and neurovascular anatomy during growth in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis versus adolescents without scoliosis.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Investigate the progressive changes in pedicle morphometry and the spatial relationship between the pedicles and neurovascular structures in patients with AIS during growth. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex three-dimensional spine deformity.

Sequential MRI reveals vertebral body wedging significantly contributes to coronal plane deformity progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis during growth.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To provide a comprehensive, multi-stage investigation of vertebral body (VB) and intervertebral disc (IVD) coronal plane deformities for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with a main thoracic curve type, using a series of sequential magnetic resonance images (MRIs). Despite numerous investigations of AIS deformity at the spinal segmental level, there is little consensus as to the major contributor to the lateral curvature of a scoliotic spine.

The effect of vertebral body stapling on spine biomechanics and structure using a bovine model.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a common condition affecting 2.5% of the general population. Vertebral body stapling was introduced as a method of fusionless growth modulation for the correction of moderate idiopathic scoliosis (Cobb angles of 20-40°), and was claimed to be more effective than bracing and less invasive than fusion.

Predicting spinal profile using 3D non-contact surface scanning: Changes in surface topography as a predictor of internal spinal alignment.

Introduction: 3D non-contact surface scanners capture highly accurate, calibrated images of surface topography for 3D structures. This study sought to establish the efficacy and accuracy of using 3D surface scanning to characterise spinal curvature and sagittal plane contour.

Methods: 10 healthy female adults with a mean age of 25 years, (standard deviation: 3.

Determining a reliably visible and inexpensive surface fiducial marker for use in MRI: a research study in a busy Australian Radiology Department.

Objectives: Single-use commercial surface fiducial markers are used in clinical imaging for a variety of applications. The current study sought to find a new, reliably visible, easily sourced and inexpensive fiducial marker alternative for use with MRI.

Design: Five commonly requested MRI sequences were determined (three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted, T1 coronal, 3D T2-weighted, T2 fat suppressed, proton density), to examine the visibility of 18 items (including a commercial fiducial marker).

Minimizing Spine Autofusion With the Use of Semiconstrained Growing Rods for Early Onset Scoliosis in Children.

Background: A new growing rod (GR) design, the semiconstrained growing rod (SCGR), with the added advantage of axial rotation freedom within the components, has been introduced at our center which has been shown to be growth friendly. We hypothesize that the SCGR system would reduce autofusion in vivo, thereby maximizing the coronal plane correction, T1-S1 growth, and the final correction achieved at definitive fusion for children with an early onset scoliosis.

Methods: In total, 28 patients had either single or dual 5.

Is vertebral rotation correction maintained after thoracoscopic anterior scoliosis surgery? A low-dose computed tomography study.

Background: Axial vertebral rotation is a key characteristic of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and its reduction is one of the goals of corrective surgery. Recurrence of deformity after surgical correction may relate to rotation changes that occur in the anterior vertebral column after surgery, but whether any change occurs within the fused segment or in adjacent unfused levels following thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion (TASF) is unknown. An analysis of measurements from an existing postoperative CT dataset was performed to investigate the occurrence of inter- and intra-vertebral rotation changes after TASF within and adjacent to the fused spinal segment and look for any relationships with the Cobb angle and rib hump in the two years after surgery.

Change in Lung Volume Following Thoracoscopic Anterior Spinal Fusion Surgery: A 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Investigation.

Study Design: Lung volumes and thoracic anatomy were measured from low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans preoperatively and 2 years following thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion (TASF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess changes in lung volume after TASF surgical correction.

Summary Of Background Data: AIS patients are known to have decreased pulmonary function as a consequence of their spinal and ribcage deformity.

Sequential Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reveals Individual Level Deformities of Vertebrae and Discs in the Growing Scoliotic Spine.

Study Design: The aim of this study was to measure contributions of individual vertebra and disc wedging to coronal Cobb angle in the growing scoliotic spine using sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinically, the Cobb angle measures the overall curve in the coronal plane but does not measure individual vertebra and disc wedging. It was hypothesized that patients whose deformity progresses will have different patterns of coronal wedging in vertebrae and discs to those of patients whose deformities remain stable.

Evaluating the Change in Axial Vertebral Rotation Following Thoracoscopic Anterior Scoliosis Surgery Using Low-Dose Computed Tomography.

Background Context: In recent years, there has been increasing appreciation of the need to treat scoliosis as a three-dimensional deformity.

Purpose: Assessment of surgical strategies and outcomes should consider not only the coronal plane correction but also derotation of the transverse plane deformity that can affect trunk appearance.

Study Design: This study included a cohort of 29 female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients who received thoracoscopic single rod anterior fusion (TASF) surgery.

Partial Intervertebral Fusion Secures Successful Outcomes After Thoracoscopic Anterior Scoliosis Correction: A Low-Dose Computed Tomography Study.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objectives: To analyze intervertebral (IV) fusion after thoracoscopic anterior spinal fusion (TASF) and explore the relationship between fusion scores and key clinical variables.

Summary Of Background Information: TASF provides comparable correction with some advantages over posterior approaches but reported mechanical complications, and their relationship to non-union and graft material is unclear.

Morphometric Analysis of the Thoracic Intervertebral Foramen Osseous Anatomy in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Low-Dose Computed Tomography.

Purpose: The dimensions of the thoracic intervertebral foramen in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) have not previously been quantified. Better understanding of the dimensions of the foramen may be useful in surgical planning. This study describes a reproducible method for measurement of the thoracic foramen in AIS using computed tomography (CT).

Is There Asymmetry Between the Concave and Convex Pedicles in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis? A CT Investigation.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is a complex three-dimensional deformity of the spine characterized by deformities in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. Spinal fusion using pedicle screw instrumentation is a widely used method for surgical correction in severe (coronal deformity, Cobb angle > 45°) adolescent idiopathic scoliosis curves. Understanding the anatomic difference in the pedicles of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is essential to reduce the risk of neurovascular or visceral injury through pedicle screw misplacement.

Apophyseal Ossification of the Iliac Crest in Forensic Age Estimation: Computed Tomography Standards for Modern Australian Subadults.

This study contrasts the ontogeny of the iliac crest apophysis using conventional radiography and multislice computed tomography (MSCT), providing probabilistic information for age estimation of modern Australian subadults. Retrospective abdominopelvic MSCT data acquired from 524 Australian individuals aged 7-25 and surveillance radiographs of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients included in the Paediatric Spine Research Group Progression Study (n = 531) were assessed. Ossification scoring of pseudo-radiographs and three-dimensional (3D) volume-rendered reconstructions using Risser (1958) quantitative descriptors indicate discrepancies in age estimates, stage allocation, and conflicting morphological progression.

A comparison of four techniques to measure anterior and posterior vertebral body heights and sagittal plane wedge angles in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional (3D) spinal deformity of unknown aetiology. Increased growth of the anterior part of the vertebrae known as anterior overgrowth has been proposed as a potential driver for AIS initiation and progression. To date, there has been no objective evaluation of the 3D measurement techniques used to identify this phenomenon and the majority of previous studies use 2D planar assessments which contain inherent projection errors due to the vertebral rotation which is part of the AIS deformity.