The influence of lung volume on gas transfer in scoliosis.

Single-breath carbon monoxide transfer factor (DLCO) and diffusion coefficient (KCO) have been compared with vital capacity and total lung capacity in 119 subjects with scoliosis, 74 with idiopathic scoliosis, 32 with congenital osteogenic scoliosis and 13 with paralytic scoliosis. In each group mean values of DLCO were below, and for KCO above, predicted values. Furthermore, in each group, DLCO was correlated with lung volume and KCO inversely correlated with lung volume.

Pregnancy in thoracic scoliosis.

We present information about 118 pregnancies in 64 patients with thoracic scoliosis, two-thirds of whom had curves in excess of 60 degrees. Although increased breathlessness was experienced in 17% of pregnancies, no serious cardiorespiratory problems were encountered. Increased black pain occurred in 21% of pregnancies.

One year's study of growth and total hydroxyproline excretion in scoliotic children.

21 children with scoliosis were studied for a year during which time 24-hour urinary total hydroxyproline levels are estimated and anthropometric measurements were made on 4 occasions. The total hydroxyproline levels (using hydroxyproline centiles) and the uncorrected heights of the children were all normal. The sitting heights of the children were below average, but, although the sample was small, the findings indicate that the children's 'uncoiled' height would be greater than average.

Lung function in young persons after spinal fusion for scoliosis.

The long-term changes in vital capacity and in total lung capacity after spinal fusion for 43 scoliotic patients are described. The values recorded were seldom lower after surgery but did not show any marked subsequent increases with patient growth. Subsequent increases in volumes are less marked in the group of patients with paralytic scoliosis.

Hydroxyproline centiles for normal adolescent boys and girls.

Centiles for 24 hour urinary total hydroxyproline are useful in monitoring growth and the effect of treatment in children with orthopedic diseases such as scoliosis, where growth is difficult to measure by anthropometric means. The centiles have been calculated from the data of a 5 year longitudinal study on 100 normal adolescent schoolchildren. Hydroxyproline estimations and assessments of growth were done 3 times a year.

Causes of death, right ventricular hypertrophy, and congenital heart disease in scoliosis.

Among the causes of death of 43 scoliotics were 5 directly due to complications of congenital heart disease. Over half (57.9%) of the remaining 38 died of cardiac or respiratory causes.

Plasma somatomedin activity in normal and scoliotic children.

In a study of plasma somatomedin activity in childhood scoliosis a group of five patients with congenital scoliosis was found to have significantly lower plasma somatomedin levels compared with a group of 20 normal children. A group of 52 patients with "idiopathic" scoliosis had normal plasma somatomedin levels. There is no apparent difference in the plasma somatomedin activity between the sexes, and no change in plasma somatomedin activity with chronologic age in these children, suggesting that normal adult somatomedin levels have been reached.

Spinal muscle in scoliosis. Comparison of normal and scoliotic rabbits.

Spinal muscle biopsies from 7 rabbits with experimentally-produced scoliosis and from 4 normal control rabbits, were examined histologically and histochemically. One scoliotic rabbit showed selective Type 2 fibre atrophy in its muscles, but in general there was no difference between the normal and the scoliotic rabbits. The percentage area of muscle occupied by Type 1 and Type 2 fibres was determined using a computer controlled microscope.

Spinal muscle in scoliosis. Part 1. Histology and histochemistry.

Histological and histochemical techniques were employed in a study of the spinal muscles from 35 adolescent scoliotic patients. Many abnormalities were found and, in general, the changes were indicative of denervation and neuropathy. None of the abnormalities were found at any one site more frequently than at any other, nor were they more often seen on one side or the other.

Bone collagen turnover in idiopathic scoliosis estimated from total hydroxyproline excretion.

The turnover of bone collagen is reflected by the 24-hour excretion of urinary total hydroxyproline. In idiopathic scoliosis there is an increase above normal in the turnover of bone collagen throughout adolescence. Spinal immobilization in plaster-of-Paris, spinal traction, and spinal fusion are all accompanied by increases in the turnover of bone collagen.

Hydroxyproline excretion and height velocity in adolescent boys.

The height velocity of 122 boys of 11 to 17 years is compared with their urinary total hydroxyproline excretion and a close relation is shown. The importance of this is discussed in relation to undersized children and to those with scoliosis in whom rapid growth is often associated with increasing curvature of the spine. Poor correlation was found between urinary total hydroxyproline excretion and height, weight, body surface area, and creatinine excretion.