Abnormal rib count in scoliosis surgery: impact on the reporting of spinal fusion levels.

Purpose: Variation in rib numbering has been noted in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), but its effect on the reporting of fusion levels has not been studied. We hypothesized that vertebral numbering variations can lead to differing documentation of fusion levels.

Methods: We examined the radiographs of 161 surgical AIS patients and 179 control patients without scoliosis.

Is there a relationship between thoracic dimensions and pulmonary function in early-onset scoliosis?

Study Design: Cross-sectional retrospective analysis.

Objective: To examine the degree of correlation between thoracic dimension outcome measures and pulmonary function in early-onset scoliosis (EOS).

Summary Of Background Data: Change in thoracic dimension (TD) measurements and spine length are commonly reported outcome measures after treatment for EOS.

Distraction-Based Treatment Maintains Predicted Thoracic Dimensions in Early-Onset Scoliosis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Examination of distraction-based treatment effect on thoracic dimensions in patients compared to predicted individual normal values, at initial treatment and subsequent follow-up after lengthenings.

Summary Of Background Data: Change in thoracic dimensions and spine length is an important outcome measure in treatment of children with early-onset scoliosis; however, it is difficult to use to make comparisons between patients and the normal population because of the heterogeneous nature of early-onset scoliosis.

Scoliosis after chest wall resection.

Background Data: There has been an increased focus on the role of rib abnormalities in the development of scoliosis. Rib resection may influence the development of scoliosis. Although scoliosis has been identified in patients after thoracotomy, most of the currently available information is from case reports.

Gain in spinal height from surgical correction of idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: A relationship between spinal distraction and correction of the curvature of scoliosis has long been recognized. While attempts have been made to define the height that is lost with progression of scoliosis, much less information is available to define the height that is gained as a result of surgical correction of the curve and to quantify additional spinal growth after spine fusion.

Methods: The present study included 116 patients (mean age, 14.

Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib Insertion.

Study Design: Retrospective review of patients who had undergone vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) treatment at a single institution.

Objectives: To evaluate whether clinically significant proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) occurs after VEPTR insertion.

Summary Of Background Data: PJK is a potential problem after posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion.

Spondylolisthesis: Intra-rater and Inter-rater Reliabilities of Radiographic Sagittal Spinopelvic Parameters Using Standard Picture Archiving and Communication System Measurement Tools.

Study Design: Reliability analysis.

Objective: To determine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of common sagittal spinopelvic measurements from Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine images on a commercial Picture Archiving and Communication system for patients with developmental spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Computer-aided analysis of digital radiographs has been used in research protocols to define anatomic and positional characteristics of developmental spondylolisthesis.

Prediction of thoracic dimensions and spine length on the basis of individual pelvic dimensions: validation of the use of pelvic inlet width obtained by radiographs compared with computed tomography.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To validate the pelvic inlet width (PIW) measurement obtained on radiograph as an independent standard used to correlate with thoracic dimensions (TDs) in treated and untreated patients with early-onset scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: In children with early-onset scoliosis, the change in TD and spine length is a key treatment goal.

Alternative technique for open reduction and fixation of displaced pediatric medial epicondyle fractures.

Purpose: To describe an alternative positioning technique for the fixation of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures which offers some significant advantages over traditional supine positioning.

Methods: At our institution, 27 patients with a displaced medial epicondyle fracture requiring open reduction and fixation were positioned prone for the procedure. The internally rotated operative arm lies on the hand table with the elbow in a natural flexed, pronated position.