A computerised tomographic scan study of Luque loops and the progression of vertebral fusion in the surgical treatment of scoliosis.
The authors report the results of a study, using CT scan, on 15 patients with scoliosis treated by the Harrington-Luque method. The patients were monitored periodically from the 3rd to the 30th month after operation. Each patient was monitored only once in order to limit the risk of ionizing radiation. In all the follow-ups it was observed that the metallic loops were in close contact with the laminae, which did not show any signs of disturbances. The medullary canal appeared to be of normal dimensions. Vertebral fusion was evident at the first 3 months follow-up and at this time partial corticalization also commenced. In successive follow-ups, fusion progressed steadily, and after 8 months it was completely corticalized. This progression continued even after 18 months so that at 30 months the fusion was such that the distractor was completely surrounded.
Milano
C
C
Orthopaedic Clinic, University of Reggio Calabria.
Cirillo
S
S
Delehaye
L
L
Greco
P
P
Lotti
G
G
Mariconda
M
M
Paolino
G
G
De Chiara
R
R
D001864:Bone Wires; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed