Early-Onset Scoliosis: Updated Treatment Techniques and Results.

Study Design: This is a review of the current literature on early-onset scoliosis (EOS) techniques and treatment written by the Growing Spine Committee of the Scoliosis Research Society.

Objectives: The Growing Spine Committee of the Scoliosis Research Society sought to update the information available on the definition and treatment of EOS, including new information about existing techniques.

Summary Of Background Data: EOS represents a diverse, heterogeneous, and clinically challenging group of spinal disorders occurring in children under the age of 10.

Functional significance of bone density measurements in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Background: The treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta has been directed at improvement of bone mineral density, yet the importance of bone mineral density in predicting functional and clinical outcome in this patient population has not been demonstrated. We used a validated functional outcome measure to identify the relationship between bone mineral density and physical function in children with osteogenesis imperfecta, and we also evaluated the relationship of bone mineral density to the rate of surgery and fracture in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.

Methods: Twenty patients (age range, four to seventeen years) with osteogenesis imperfecta who had undergone bone mineral densitometry as measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine, wrist, and proximal aspect of the femur between November 1999 and April 2001 were retrospectively analyzed.

The effect of amicar on perioperative blood loss in idiopathic scoliosis: the results of a prospective, randomized double-blind study.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind Institutional Review Board-approved study evaluating the efficacy of Amicar (epsilon aminocaproic acid), an antifibrinolytic agent, in decreasing perioperative blood loss in idiopathic scoliosis.

Objectives: To compare the perioperative (intraoperative and postoperative) blood loss and the need for autologous and homologous blood replacement in two groups of essentially identical patients undergoing a posterior spinal fusion for idiopathic scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Reducing perioperative blood loss and the need for transfusion in patients undergoing spinal surgery is important to orthopedic surgeons.

Predictive value of pelvic incidence in progression of spondylolisthesis.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of pelvic incidence and other radiographic parameters as a predictor of progression of isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of various radiographic parameters, including pelvic incidence, in determining the risk for progression of lumbosacral isthmic spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Although pelvic incidence has recently been shown to be positively correlated to the severity of spondylolisthesis, it has not been confirmed as a predictor of spondylolisthetic progression.